The new design is based on ideas from children at the school who won a makeover competition. The competition was organised by the British Council for School Environments (BCSE) in partnership with the Northampton Chronicle & Echo and Willmott Dixon, and is part of the BCSE’s Big School Makeover initiative.

The four Year 8 students behind Campion’s winning submission (Georgia Webster, Lily Cuthbertson, Jack Murphy and Joe Hopcraft), were involved in all the planning meetings at the school and worked with the professionals to turn their ideas into the final design.

Bob Clayton, Campion’s headteacher, said:

“I am immensely proud of the contribution made by our young students, both to the initial conceptual design of this project and to its end result. Their vision combined with the commitment and energy of BCSE members, will ensure that our current and future students, will now have the benefit of studying in a modern and inspirational learning environment”

BCSE chief executive Ty Goddard said:

“The children’s designs have transformed a tired library into a fantastic new space which they can engage with in a way that changes how they learn and play. This makeover shows how brilliant results can be achieved when organisations and experts work with children to revamp their school.”

The BCSE invited a team of professionals to transform the children’s ideas into reality. The team, led by building company Willmott Dixon included Travis Perkins, N G Bailey, Parish Joinery, I D Lloyd Ltd, Demaco Interiors, Pan interiors, GSS Architecture, Target Furniture, CPI Mortars, Speedy Hire, Blok n Mesh, Soar Valley Timber Ltd, Lee Brothers, Dulux, Howdens, Jewsons, Abel Skip Hire, Whitt Brothers Plastering, Elmsmere Ceilings, AC Flooring, Whitecroft Lighting, CMD Wiring Systems, Newey & Eyre Electrical Distributors, Edmondson’s, KEM Edwards and Wyevale garden centres. The team completed the work in just five days starting on July 5th. The official ‘reveal’ ceremony took take place at 2pm on 12th July 2010.

Peter Owen, managing director for Willmott Dixon in the Midlands, said:

"We've done several makeovers with the BCSE before and the excitement it generates among pupils is fantastic. On each occasion our makeovers have helped breathe new life into education space that was under-used or needing some care, and to make such an impact in a short space of time is hugely rewarding.”

The four other finalist schools will also be receiving smaller makeovers as part of the initiative:

Thomas Becket Catholic School - Sports hall re-paint.

Weedon Bec Primary School - Garden makeover

Eastfield Primary School, Northampton - Garden makeover

Danetre School, Specialist Engineering College - Garden makeover