Local authorities across the UK are facing unprecedented pressure to expand specialist educational provision. As high-needs demand grows alongside constrained capital budgets, councils must balance speed, sustainability, and quality.
In Surrey, a forward-thinking collaboration between Surrey County Council and modular eco-building specialist TG Escapes demonstrates how Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) can inclusion bases at rapid pace. Completed in just 35 weeks, The Aquinas Centre, surrounding landscaping and civil works, at St John the Baptist School in Woking represents a £3.6 million investment under Surrey County Council’s Inclusion and Additional Needs Partnership Strategy 2023–2026. The facility provides a dedicated inclusion base designed to create 30 new places for children and young people with SEND, ASD and SEMH needs.
Seamless Mainstream Integration inclusion base as a dedicated space in a mainstream school offering specialist teaching or targeted support. “This is not about creating a separate experience for our students, but a more inclusive one,” explains Anna Dwyer, Deputy Head at St John the Baptist School. “Young people accessing The Aquinas Centre will remain full members of our school community, learning from tailored support when needed.” Helyn Clack, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Lifelong Learning at Surrey County Council, stated: “The Aquinas Centre is a fantastic addition to Surrey’s SEND provision, creating 30 new specialist places that will help more children and young people access the support they need closer to home. to providing inclusive education opportunities that enable every child to thrive within their local community.”
The 512m² facility is built upon TG Escapes’ proprietary Inclusive Learning Hub concept. It houses three classrooms, specialist therapy and sensory rooms, a dedicated teaching kitchen for practical life skills and calm breakout spaces. The layout is intentionally clear, legible and calm, helping pupils navigate the space from zoning to circulation, supports self-regulation, independence and clarity, creating an environment where pupils can focus on learning rather than managing Karl Stokes, Managing Director at TG Escapes, notes: “The Aquinas Centre is an example of our Inclusive Learning Hub concept in action, designed to integrate SEND provision seamlessly into a mainstream school setting. Sustainable, purpose-built facilities like these reduce barriers to education and help foster genuinely inclusive learning environments where students with special educational needs can thrive alongside their peers.”
Turnkey Delivery and Sustainability Delivered on a live school site with minimal disruption, the project extended well beyond the building envelope. As turnkey contractor, TG Escapes executed a comprehensive civil and infrastructure package, including new highways access, an access road, EV-ready parking, storm drainage, utility connections, safeguarding fencing, a biodiverse rain garden managing surface water along the access road, and play areas with sensory surfaces, seating and social space. Environmental performance is central to the design. Built to be carbon-neutral for regulated energy, the timber-frame building features solar PV arrays, air source heat pumps (ASHPs), and heat recovery ventilation, aligning directly with
WH13
Surrey’s carbon-reduction commitments. Natalie Bramhall, Cabinet Member for Property, Infrastructure and Waste, stated: “This project demonstrates how innovative, sustainable construction can help us deliver high-quality facilities residents.”
A Multi-Site Programme The Aquinas Centre represents one of four major education projects TG Escapes have delivered for Surrey County Council. Other completed schemes include The Liz Kyriacou Building at Woking High School (£1.4m), a purpose-built autism unit at Stepgates Community School (£1.5m), and a specialist SEND inclusion base at St Matthew’s CofE Primary School (£1.3m).
For more information about TG Escapes Modular Eco-Buildings, or a complimentary design and viability consultation, call 0800 917 7726, email
info@tgescapes.co.uk or visit tgescapes.
co.uk/send-inclusion-base-at-st-john- the-baptist-school.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44
