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The Spires College: 6th Form Reimagined
The Spires College: Inspiring Spaces for 6th Form Success
The Sixth Form at The Spires College prepares students with the knowledge, skills, and guidance necessary for university, higher education, vocational training, and future careers, empowering them to make informed and confident choices about their next steps.
Spires sixth form provides a vibrant, supportive environment where students can grow both academically and personally. Whether they have a clear goal in mind, are exploring different pathways, or are still discovering their direction, the sixth form offers personalised guidance and support at every stage of their journey.
Joining the college means becoming part of a respectful, supportive and close-knit community. Students gain greater independence, build meaningful relationships with staff and peers, and engage in learning experiences that promote curiosity, resilience, and ambition.
CONTACT & MORE
Project brief
In October 2024, The Spires College engaged Innova to undertake the refurbishment of its Sixth Form block as part of its wider redevelopment programme.
The primary goal was to enhance the appeal of the college and increase student enrolment. The project included creating a contemporary library, a café-equipped common room, and modern IT suites, with fully upgraded facilities planned to open to students for the September 2025 intake.
The college supplied an initial brief outlining the project’s objectives, functional needs, and overall vision. It detailed key considerations—such as layout, capacity, aesthetic direction, and essential features—to ensure the new spaces would meet the needs of both students and staff. Innova’s designer and the client worked closely together to refine and develop the designs, progressing them from initial concepts to clear, intelligent room layouts.
The Spires College new Sixth Form Centre, opened to students for the 2025/2026 academic year and was celebrated at an open evening in November 2025.
The solution
Following a competitive tender process, Innova was awarded the project after submitting compelling design proposals and detailed quotes. The designs showcased a clear understanding of the college’s vision, balancing contemporary aesthetics with functional learning spaces. The combination of creative concepts, practical solutions, and cost-effective planning positioned Innova as the preferred partner to deliver the refurbishment.
Innova’s designer set to work, interpreting the client’s brief to create functional and visually appealing layouts. The designs balanced aesthetics with the specific needs for study, collaboration, and social interaction, considering furniture, lighting, and circulation to ensure the spaces fully served students and staff.
The Library and Silent Study: The space has been transformed into a contemporary, university-inspired environment designed for independent study and small seminar sessions, providing capacity for up to 15 students working on their own devices. Its interior incorporates flexible shelving arranged into 30 sections, offering storage for several thousand books while blending practical function with a refined, modern-classic library feel.
The common room and café: The original common room has been redeveloped into a modern, café-inspired learning hub, designed to accommodate up to 25 students and support small study groups of six. The space will be equipped with laptops, books, and folders, and features a café servery, booth seating, and high tables, blending functionality with an environment that encourages collaborative learning. The new café will provide Sixth Form students with a dedicated area to unwind and enjoy drinks or light snacks.
The new ICT Suites will provide quiet, focused spaces for individual study, offering up to 50 workstations across two rooms. Desks to be arranged around the perimeter, with low central workstations designed for laptop use. A teacher station to be positioned between the rooms to enable effective supervision, all set within a professional, office-style environment.
Turnkey services
- Demolition & Strip Out
- Minor Building Works
- New Flooring Installation
- Electrical Works
- Decoration
Turnkey Services: One stop solution
Innova provided turnkey services, including demolition and removal, building works, flooring (vinyl and carpet), electrical, data, and decoration, ensuring a seamless, end-to-end solution for your project.
The spaces are designed with practicality and comfort in mind, featuring plenty of electrical sockets along the walls to support laptops and other devices. The flooring is thoughtfully zoned, combining vinyl and carpet to define different areas, while a green, tranquil colour scheme creates a calm and inviting atmosphere, conducive to both study and relaxation.
Outcome:
The Spires College new Sixth Form Centre, opened to students for the 2025/2026 academic year and was celebrated at an open evening in November 2025. The new centre is designed to provide an enhanced environment for post-16 studies, offering subjects at A Level and BTEC National levels, alongside a range of enrichment activities to support personal and academic development.
Spotlight on interiors
Education
ICT Suites Accessible, ergonomic, low-maintenance ICT suites to keep pace with learning technologies
Multi-sector
Library designs for schools, colleges & universities Learning commons libraries, flexible and adaptable to the needs of individuals and groups
Commercial
Showrooms High quality retail showroom furniture designed to enhance the customer experience
Do you have a project in mind?
We would love to hear from you. Give us a call, email or make an enquiry. We are here to share our expertise and answer your questions.
0161 4775300
hello@innovadesigngroup.co.uk
