King's Cross Academy and Frank Barnes School for Deaf Children

Frank Barnes has a national and international reputation as a centre of excellence for deaf education. David Morley Architects took great care to embrace the needs and views of our children, parents and school community. As a practice, they care and respect the importance of children being at the centre of the design process. Their own in-depth research into the most accessible designs for deaf learners, was evident in their innovative, thoughtful and nurturing design for our new school, which we hope will set a precedent for the future of deaf education internationally. ”

King’s Cross Academy is a new primary school for King’s Cross. The purpose-built school is located in The Plimsoll Building at the heart of the King’s Cross development. The school opened in September 2015.

In the first year, the primary school will have two reception classes for up to 60 children and a 26-place nursery for 3 to 5 year old children. As the King’s Cross community grows, the Academy will expand with places for 420 primary school pupils aged 4 to 11, plus the nursery.

King’s Cross Academy is co-located in The Plimsoll Building with the Frank Barnes School for Deaf Children. The two schools share not just a building, but enjoy a close partnership at all levels. The Academy teaches British Sign Language and the shared spaces give the children the chance to communicate together.

The two schools occupy the ground and first floors of the 14 storey Plimsoll Building – a new apartment building set alongside Regent’s Canal in the heart of the King’s Cross development. The Plimsoll Building will house 255 new homes.