Cheslyn Hay Academy is a mixed secondary school and sixth form located in Cheslyn Hay, Staffordshire, educating students aged 11 to 18. The school has approximately 1,300 pupils, including around 190 students in the sixth form.

Part of the Windsor Academy Trust, the school converted to academy status in 2018, having previously operated as Cheslyn Hay Sport and Community High School under Staffordshire County Council. The academy serves a wide catchment area, including the villages of Cheslyn Hay, Essington and Featherstone, and is recognised for maintaining high expectations for students alongside strong academic outcomes that are often above the national average.

As part of a refurbishment project for their sixth form area, the school was looking to create a new, fresh and modern environment for students. Morleys worked closely with the Headteacher and members of the trust to understand their vision and requirements for the space. A key objective was to incorporate colours that aligned with the school’s branding while also introducing elements of personalisation to reflect the academy’s identity.

Another important priority was to increase dining capacity in the main hall, as the existing space was struggling to accommodate the number of students at lunchtime. The school needed a solution that would allow more students to be seated comfortably, ensuring everyone had access to a suitable space to eat and socialise during breaks.

We developed a design proposal and loose furniture specification that carefully considered a more mature and contemporary look and feel, suitable for sixth form students entering the final stage of their education before progressing to higher education or career opportunities.

The colour palette of blue, red and yellow was incorporated throughout the space through the soft seating, reflecting the school’s branding and creating a vibrant yet cohesive environment. To strengthen the sense of identity within the space, we also installed a feature wall panel displaying the school’s logo, illuminated with LED lighting to connect the sixth form area with the wider school environment.

The layout was carefully zoned to create a dedicated common room area that supports a range of activities including studying, socialising and relaxing. A combination of sofas, tub chairs and pouffes was used to create a comfortable and informal setting for students to enjoy throughout the day.

Within the main dining hall, the available space was maximised through the use of circular trumpet-base tables paired with colourful breakout chairs, creating a vibrant café-style atmosphere while significantly increasing the seating capacity for students during lunchtime.

Both phases of the project were delivered on schedule. Although we encountered a supply chain issue with one of the seating ranges, we quickly implemented an alternative solution to ensure the client remained satisfied. Throughout the project, we maintained clear and consistent communication with the school regarding delivery and installation.