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Modular timber frame building for SEND provision at The Oaks Specialist College


Tonbridge SEND college unveils new school building


The Oaks Specialist College in Tonbridge has unveiled its new home learning centre ‘The Point’, designed and built by sustainable construction firm, TG Escapes, using modular construction methods. The Point was completed in just six months, allowing education to continue at The Oaks with minimal disruption.


T he single-storey, 435m2 building will


be used by learners aged 18 to 25 with a variety of special educational needs and disabilities. It features five classrooms, including a workshop space with specialist provision for students with physical disabilities (such as a riser kitchen, a track and hoist, and accessible self-care facilities), plus a media space where students can practice skills like coding and film-making with specialist equipment adapted to their needs.


The Point is part of a £1.8m project to expand the special educational provision at The Oaks. Work began in March, after initial plans were approved in early 2025.


This expansion also represents a major cost saving for the local authority. Educating a learner with a physical disability at The Oaks costs around £42,000 a year, compared with an average of £141,750 for out-of-county placements, as shown in a feasibility report by Kent County Council. By increasing local capacity, The Oaks can support more young people with SEND closer to home while helping local authorities ease the financial pressure of high-cost EHCP placements.


TG Escapes was chosen because of their sustainable construction methods, biophilic design principles, and specialist experience in the education sector for which the company recently won a 2025 Education Estates Award for Modular Provider of the Year.


Mark Guyatt, Lead Architectural Consultant at TG Escapes, said: “Biophilic design is an architectural approach that seeks to connect a building’s occupants with nature, promoting wellbeing, health, and productivity. When these principles are applied to a school environment, the benefits for students are clear. For example, a 2015 study found that school surroundings rich in greenery are linked to improved cognitive skills, while maximising natural light helps to reduce reliance on harsh artificial lighting, which can be distressing for autistic students with SEND.


“The Point at The Oaks is a prime example of this in practice. We incorporated natural materials like timber, large windows and skylights, covered canopies and other elements that demonstrate biophilic design in action and link the inside to out. Students were also invited to safely explore their new space during construction.”


Ros Leach, College Principal at The Oaks, said: “For some of our learners, transitions from school can feel overwhelming, especially if the prospect is to move out of home as well. It was great for them to have the opportunity to get to know The Point during construction, so that when it formally opened, it already feels like a safe and welcoming place to learn. Investing in The Point means that young people who require additional specialist provision can remain rooted in their local community, enabling them to maintain family contacts and positive relationships as well as learning vital independent and employability skills.”


The bespoke timber-clad building has been designed to have a gold-standard ‘A*’ EPC rating and is powered by solar panels and air source heat pumps. Features like this support The Oaks’ “Let’s Go Zero” carbon reduction plan and will save an estimated £4.5-6k in annual running costs and 3.2 tons of CO2 per year compared to buildings meeting minimum building control standards.


Gordon Tillman, CEO, The Oaks Specialist College reports: “Our experience of working with TG Escapes and their team of trades people was genuinely a pleasure, and five (or six!) out of five star rated throughout. The quality of their build and workmanship is first class and our eight month build process was Project Managed extremely well, with great communication throughout and a seamless handover on time and in budget.”


For more information about the project, please visit: tgescapes.co.uk/send-home- learning-centre-at-the-oaks-specialist- college, call 0800 917 7726 or email info@tgescapes.co.uk.


12 Winter 2026 issue 4182


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