The Secondary School Modernization Programme, sponsored by the Portuguese State since 2007, generated in Portuguese society debate about the relationship between learning space and pedagogical models. Therefore we have been investigating not only the influence of politics on architectural options but also the consequences for pedagogical practices. Here we present research performed with architectural students about Casa Branca School, Coimbra. This school, built late 1980s, was part of a national plan that foresaw the increase in the number of schools due to new educational principles and policy. The State developed a pavilion model adaptable to any urban context, able to be reproduced easily and inexpensively. Students proposed architectural projects of transforming the School while exploring the relations between school and city. Proposals centred on reinventing the idea of “school” considering the relationship with the community and the urban environment, from the architectural point of view, but mainly from educational and cultural perspectives. This approach seeks to transform Casa Branca School´s existing architectural and pedagogical profile. The students´ proposals developed through a constant dialogue with the school managers, teachers and students. The exercise, exploring the ideas of Hertzberger, focused on reinventing the school programme, learning spaces and articulations with urban spaces.