The aim of the project was to provide a Special Educational Needs (SEN) Hub at Lakelands Academy in Ellesmere. It will provide a teaching facility for up to 24 children who have Autistic Spectrum Disorder. Careful consideration was given as to how the hub could become part of the Academy, so offering mainstream access where appropriate rather than being a separate facility placed on a mainstream site.
Working with the client (Learning & Skills and SEN team, Shropshire Council) and the Lakelands Academy, Premises Services developed the project brief and lead the design, procurement and build stages. In order to provide the facility, part of the existing Academy building was refurbished, with additional accommodation provided as new build.
Premises Services employed J Harper and Sons as principal contractor for the works that were completed winter 2014-15, with the facility being brought into use from Easter 2015.