The Evelyn Grace Academy emerges zig zagging from the low-rise brick terraces of inner-city housing estates. Dark grey, silver and bare concrete elements wrap around dark glass windows exuding a stiff kind of drama that contrasts brilliantly with its underwhelming surroundings. A dramatic bright red 100m running track slices across the site from the entrance is where the real action is as a team of school kids pant helplessly as we enter the reception building.