Project Brief
This £19m new build scheme comprised the design and construction of a purpose-built SEN school, sixth form, accommodation block and therapeutic centre in the grounds of the former Hessle Lower School. The broad range of facilities on one site enables a range of professionals to help whole families manage severe and complex pressures.
Solution
Extensive stakeholder consultation was undertaken to ensure the design team understood users’ needs for this complex community development. Inclusive contribution was obtained from local ward members and key council officers in education, the strategic housing team, special needs and NHS inclusion teams.
The large, single-storey school supports 115 students aged 2-19 with a wide spectrum of additional needs. Alongside teaching spaces are therapeutic facilities including a hydrotherapy pool, sensory rooms and rebound therapy room. A three-storey apartment block offers year-round residential support for students, parents and on-site staff, plus support spaces, dining and lounge areas. Following a value engineering review of the early design proposals, we managed to minimise material use whilst retaining the design philosophy – we redesigned the steel frame to simplify the construction and reduce the steel tonnage by 100 tonnes, saving a significant £200,000 on the original budget. We used a precast concrete floor with longer, uninterrupted spans and deepened the pad foundations as needed due to the influence of existing trees.
We worked closely with the architect and building services consultant to coordinate designs using BIM. Construction began at the start of the first Covid pandemic lockdown, which tightened-up the build programme and added unforeseen delivery pressures. Excellent collaboration amongst the design and delivery team ensured a successful result that met all requirements.
