Wokingham Borough Council is focused on delivering SEND places for early years children in the Borough. As part of the phased approach, the Old Farley Hill Primary School in Farley Hill was identified as ideal location to provide additional SEND space. The existing premises at the site were refurbished and re-purposed to create a fit for purpose facility for up to 40 SEND primary age children.
The project site was in a rural location with residential buildings, we needed to ensure minimum disruption is caused to all residents, pedestrians and traffic. To protect the building occupants and members of public throughout the duration of the works, we put in place clear and appropriate hoarding, fencing and signage.
To provide appropriate teaching facilities for SEND students, our scope included strip out of existing building to form the new layout including significant structural alterations and temporary works, replacement of MEP services, new commercial grade air source heat pumps, installation of hoists to all teaching spaces and toilets, underfloor heating and a sprinkler systems, together with external works. The building also required a partial replacement of the roof and full external window and door replacements.
Our team completed decoration throughout, as well as installation of fixtures and fittings.
The programme had significant pressure to open Phase 1 in September 2023 and hence a very collaborative and open design relationship was forged with the team pulling together to ensure the school opened in time for the first cohort of children.
External works included provision of a covered secure cycle storage for staff and general upgrades to the soft and hard landscaping. We added a new 2m fence around the perimeter of the school.
Three new SEND specific play equipment areas were installed with rubber crumb surfacing and specific fencing and access control.
The school was designed to fully cater for SEND children needs. Fully wheelchair accessible teaching areas are acoustics treated, all rooms have sensory lights, and the temperature is regulated independently.
Special thought has been given to create a space for children to come and play. Selection of rooms include quiet room, dark room, splash room and sand room. Play areas outside are soft play, all gates and door have access control. We engaged with specialist contractors to deliver external and soft play areas.
The project was delivered in live environment and provided a safe and secure environment for staff, pupils, and visitors. Particular design and effort were afforded to consider the safeguarding and emergency access/egress with strict control measures and access control linked to all doors and external gates.
Original plan was to deliver the project in one continuous phase but following an ecological survey and discovery of bats under the roof, the works needed to be broken down into two phases. In phase 1, majority of internal areas refurbishment was completed and approximately a third of external work. Following a one -month break, remaining work was completed in the second phase. Both phases were delivered on tight and critical programmes
With regular visits from the Council and teaching staff, great level of engagement maintained with the school and well managed change to the programme meant no impact on the school operations.
To make this project planet friendly, solar panels and external air source heat pumps have been installed.
The project scored very good rating in Considerate Constructor assessment and achieved practical completion in June 2024.
