Ascot Vale Heights School

We are refurbishing the main building to provide fit-for-purpose, accessible spaces with clearly defined junior and senior learning zones.

This school is part of the Flemington Education Plan. It aims to give the local community access to high-quality, seamless education while fostering positive health, wellbeing and the capacity to succeed. The plan connects 4 local schools across primary, secondary and specialist education, supporting them to share their individual expertise and resources.

What’s being delivered?

We are refurbishing the interior of Ascot Vale Heights School’s main building to provide fit-for-purpose, accessible spaces with clearly defined junior and senior learning zones designed to enable all children to achieve their best through flexible learning spaces for students and staff to engage in learning. Students will have opportunities to learn inside and outside the classroom, fostering a strong sense of belonging, engagement and achievement.

Our design was driven by three key factors: activation and connectivity, adaptable and flexible learning spaces, and a connection to nature. These works will mainly begin on the ground floor before we start refurbishing the first-floor senior spaces.

Our upgrade will give students and teachers new modern facilities, including dedicated breakout spaces, variety of teaching areas using tactile materials and finishes and wet areas for junior learning areas. We’ll also refurbish the senior learning area to create a large meeting room and kitchen.

We will deliver a new staff hub, refurbish the main entry and reception area, and build an art room and specialist library space. Other improvements include new windows, a new cleaner’s closet, replacing the ceiling and modifying skylights to increase natural light.

Previously under-utilised spaces will be converted into breakout areas for student and staff use. Open storage and informal library nooks will transform corridors. Flexible walls will allow the school to create multi-use spaces to accommodate sensory withdrawal, as well as individual and group work areas — all universally accessible to the school community.

Our design creates a stronger connection to nature by combining better window placement for outside views with internal planters bringing nature inside. Throughout the build, natural materials will be used including timber and limewash finishes, and we’ll make use of skylights and wall openings to bring in more sunlight.

“It is a game changer for the students, staff and the school community. It is aspirational in what the design offers for the future of the school.”

- Colin Schot, Principal

Next steps

We plan to appoint a builder and get construction underway by Term 4 this year. We’ll complete the work in time for the start of the 2023 school year. We will work closely with the school and school community to minimise disruption and ensure student and staff safety during the upcoming build.

The Victorian Government is committed to investing in education and modernising our schools. The needs of all schools are considered when determining future priorities for state-wide capital works. They will continue to use all available data, including condition assessments and the school’s master plan, when allocating funding in future State Budgets.

Learn more about how the plan is transforming local education for Flemington.

Learn how education plans offer extra support for students to reach their full potential.

Designed brochure

You can access a designed brochure with the above information, and a site plan showing both ground and level one floor plans. This plan marks up learning and breakout areas, amenities and a library.

We installed 2 lifts, several ramps and refurbished stairs and bathrooms.

The Planned Maintenance Program funds schools to upgrade buildings and infrastructure in the poorest condition.

This school is part of the Flemington Education Plan. Its vision is to give the local community high-quality, seamless education from birth. This will foster positive health and wellbeing and the capacity to succeed.

Learn more about how the plan is transforming local education for Flemington.

Learn how education plans offer extra support for students to reach their full potential.