Glendinning Academy

We worked closely with the Department for Education (DfE), Academy and design team to develop the SEN School to fit within the tight site with residential neighbours on all sides. This required a deviation from the original control option with the floor plan kinked to suit site restrictions and levels, whilst ensuring enough space for parking, hard standing play areas and the animal husbandry out-building. This animal care provision was moved external to the main building as requested by the Academy.

The needs of potential students were paramount in the development of the plans. Every part of the design was considered with the sensory needs of the pupils in mind creating an environment that supports learning.

The building is an L shaped structure, with a single storey wing. The superstructure is a braced steel frame supported on concrete strip and pad foundations. The roof structure is formed by a metal profile deck spanning between the primary roof beams. The separate Animal Husbandry Building is one storey steel framed structure with load bearing masonry walls supporting a suspended ground floor slab.

The design also included the maximisation of level access doors from classrooms to external play areas. On the first floor we introduced a footpath and natural grass ramp up to the classroom corridor to ensure safe access/egress for pupils.