Schools for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provide a nurturing and specialised environment where students with diverse needs can receive the support and resources they require to thrive. These schools cater to a wide range of challenges, including learning difficulties, physical impairments, communication disorders, and emotional or behavioural needs, to name a few.
As a result, this makes the environment in which SEND students learn in crucial to their academic success and well-being. In this blog, we’ll explore the importance of appointing the right design teams, the significance of interior design and the benefits of early contractor involvement when working with SEND schools. We will also discuss how we at Procure Partnerships Framework can help SEND schools through the procurement process of selecting the right contractor to create an inclusive learning environment.
The Broader Picture
Before delving into the key considerations for your SEND school construction project, it’s important to consider the increasing demand for specialised educational facilities to grasp the broader picture at hand.
The number of children in England with special educational needs (SEN) has been steadily increasing over the past few years. This trend is reflected in the latest statistics, which show a significant rise in the number of pupils with SEN. Unfortunately, the availability of special needs schools and resourced provisions has not kept pace with this growing demand, creating a pressing need for more specialised facilities.
- Over 1.6 million pupils in England have special educational needs (SEN) An increase of 101,000 from 2023.
- The most common type of need for those with an education, health and care plan is autistic spectrum disorder and for those with SEN support is speech, language and communication needs.
- In January 2024, there were 392 schools in England with SEN units, an increase from 373 in 2023
- 1,168 schools with a resourced provision for SEN, a slight increase from 1,125 in 2023.
- 148,000 special school places reported
These inflated figures, represented in the image and highlighted above, reveal the need for schools to adapt and evolve to meet the diverse needs of their students.
At Procure Partnerships, we’re thrilled to be at the forefront of a transformative shift in SEND education. With increased funding for essential projects, we’re witnessing a surge in much-needed construction work.
So, once you’ve secured funding for your SEND school project, now comes the exciting part – bringing your vision to life. But where do you start? Let’s explore the steps below.
Appointing SEND School Construction Experts
A well-designed space can have a significant impact on students’ comfort, engagement, and overall well-being. That’s why appointing the right team is essential. When embarking on a SEND school construction project, appointing a team with expertise in creating inclusive and accessible learning environments will significantly enhance the success of your project.
Here are some key considerations our contractors will consider on your SEND project:
Space Utilisation
A well-designed space can optimise learning and support the diverse needs of SEND students. Contractors will consider factors such as classroom size, accessibility and the integration of specialised facilities.
Building Regulations
Adherence to relevant UK building regulations, such as BS 8300. This relates to the design of buildings and their spaces to meet the needs of people with disabilities: This provides detailed guidance on designing buildings to accommodate people with disabilities. It covers aspects such as access routes, internal spaces, and sanitary facilities.
Interior Design & Noise Control
The choice of colours, materials, and finishes can significantly impact the atmosphere and well-being of students. The option for calming tones and sensory-friendly elements will create a conducive learning environment. Moreover, implementing strategies to reduce noise levels and create quiet spaces is essential, especially for students with sensory sensitivities.
Kingfisher SEND School
Kingfisher Special Education Needs School sought to expand its educational facilities and resources. To achieve this, the school embarked on a construction project involving the addition of two extensions. Through a competitive single-stage tendering process facilitated by Procure Partnerships, the school successfully secured a Seddon to undertake the project.
The first extension housed a new hydrotherapy pool, replacing the existing above-ground pool, while the second provided two additional classrooms. The existing building was reconfigured to create a conference space and optimise learning areas.
Despite ongoing school operations, including after-hours clubs and weekend activities, the project was successfully completed with minimal disruption. A detailed logistics plan, including safety measures and restricted delivery times, was implemented to avoid interference with student drop-off and pick-up. Regular communication between the site manager and school caretaker ensured smooth coordination throughout the project.
“This is a significant project for the people of Oldham. As the local population has grown, demand for places at the school has increased nearly 50 per cent in just over five years. The additional space and facilities that this refurbishment delivers will allow the exceptional team to continue offering the very best education and care to young people with additional needs in the local community, preventing them from having to travel further afield.”
John Shannon, Managing Director of Seddon Property Services.
Be proactive and engage early
You’ve probably heard us talk about the importance of early contractor engagement before. That’s because one of the most effective ways to ensure a successful construction project is to involve an experienced contractor as early as you can in the process. This is even more crucial for SEND schools. By engaging a contractor with a proven track record in delivering SEND schools, you can benefit from their expertise and minimise potential disruptions to students’ education and routines.
Contractors with experience in SEND school construction understand the unique requirements and challenges associated with these projects. They can provide valuable insights and recommendations to ensure that the final product meets the specific needs of SEND students.
The Benefits of Two-Stage Tendering
A two-stage tender is an ideal call off method to use when selecting a contractor for your SEND school project. This approach involves appointing a contractor early based on a preliminary price and a series of quality questions usually focused on the contractors’ relevant experience working on SEND schools.
Contractors with this experience understand the unique requirements and challenges associated with these projects. They can provide valuable insights and recommendations to ensure that the final outcome meets the specific needs of SEND students.
How Procure Partnerships can help
Partnering with Procure Partnerships Framework ensures you’re working with contractors that are fully compliant and have experience working on SEND schools. We can make sure that contractors will deliver works in accordance with agreed programme to limit disruption in routine and school schedules. Furthermore, our post tender support services allows you to have oversight and updates on your projects status with our bespoke reporting tools.
We recognise that every SEND school project is unique, with distinct needs and priorities. Social value is a cornerstone of our approach. By engaging students in on-site activities like painting or snagging, our contractors can offer students valuable hands-on learning experiences and a sense of ownership in their school environment. We deliver an average of 75.12%* social value across the projects we procure for our clients. This goes far beyond the mandatory 10% commitments you often see.
Whether you’ve been awarded funding for your project or simply need procurement advice, feel free to get in touch today and member of our team will be able to guide you through the process.
*Data collected between January – October 2024 from Compliance Chain.
