design solutions


since dedicated facilities for Special Educational Needs (SEN) children came about some 40 years ago. The £15 million education complex has been delivered by a project team led by construction and infrastructure company Morgan Sindall. The school can support 210 young


SEN moves to a new level G


LENWOOD School in Benfleet, Essex, is an example of just how far design and build has progressed


people between the ages of three and 19 years old, transforming the provision that currently exists in this locality to meet the learning needs of children with SEN. Morgan Sindall worked closely with Curl


la Tourelle, Head Architecture, Essex County Council, and the end user, Glenwood School, to design an innovative space that enhances the wellbeing of pupils and transforms the way they can learn. Saul Humphrey, managing director of


Morgan Sindall East, said: “Many children with SEN struggle to understand their environments, so all elements of the school’s design required careful consideration. At Glenwood for example the use of colour


has been carefully thought through to help the young people navigate their way around the school easily.” The school has specialist facilities such


as an in-floor trampoline room, a hydro therapy pool, sensory and light rooms and spaces designed to meet the needs of those with sensory processing difficulties. It also has an immersive room where


the school simulates environments, meaning young people can become familiar with places that they might visit, such as an airport and also situations they could imagine such as being under the sea or in a rainforest. Due to the complexity of the facility,


Morgan Sindall appointed a dedicated soft landings team who remained on site for four weeks, beyond the build. Morgan Sindall project manager Dan Morrish led the team, supported by a trainee site manager, labourer and three specialists from its services subcontractor DPL, who worked closely with the Glenwood team throughout. As part of the soft landings process, a


handover manual was also provided as a quick reference guide for each teacher, helping them to learn about their new classrooms. The manual also included way-finding and floor plans, so the team can easily access all the areas in their new school. Morgan Sindall hosted two soft landing presentations for staff and detailed equipment training was also delivered to the teachers, with specialist training and film production for equipment such as the new hoist systems and hydrotherapy pool. Judith Salter, headteacher at


Glenwood School, said: “We are all very excited about the opening of the new building. It is very important to us that the new school feels as warm, welcoming, safe and unique as our previous school. We always strive to help our young people develop and learn so they can be as autonomous as possible. We appreciate that many of our young people find change difficult if they have not been prepared so we are particularly pleased that Morgan Sindall has worked with us to involve many of the young people. “The new facilities enable us to be even


more creative in the ways we can engage our young people in their individual next steps of learning. I am confident that all involved appreciate the importance of being able to give a sense of freedom and choice for the learners whilst still ensuring their safety with a comprehensive approach to security, access and movement within the school building and grounds. The needs of the young people who attend the school vary greatly, some young people are totally dependent on adults to meet all their needs and some can develop a great deal of independence, particularly in contributing to all routines associated with daily living. The new building is designed to meet the needs of all who attend.”


www.morgansindall.com 20 educationdab.co.uk


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