Prospect House Primary School
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Location: Manchester
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Sector: Education
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Division: Regional Building
Tilbury Douglas successfully delivered Prospect House, a new build Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) school in Blackley, Manchester.
Funded by the Department for Education (DfE) and delivered through the DfE Framework, the project provides 100 specialist school places for children aged three to 11, including 10 nursery places.
Designed to support students with complex educational, medical, and physical needs, the school incorporates state-of-the-art learning environments, including sensory rooms, soft play areas, and calm spaces.
Despite the challenges of Covid-19, the project was completed within budget and to the revised programme, ensuring students could access a safe, inclusive, and high quality learning environment from the spring term of 2022.
The construction of Prospect House involved the creation of a purpose built SEND facility on the site of the former Camberwell Park Primary School. The school was designed in full compliance with DfE statutory frameworks and BS6465 sanitary standards.
Key features include specialist teaching spaces, therapy and sensory rooms, a secure outdoor play area, and an early years provision nursery. The design prioritised accessibility and student well-being, ensuring the school provides a nurturing and stimulating environment.
Working collaboratively with the DfE, Manchester City Council, and Prospere Learning Trust, Tilbury Douglas ensured the project met all stakeholder requirements while delivering a high quality facility tailored to the specific needs of its students.
At a glance...
£9m
Project value
2022
Completion date
Department for Education
Client
Challenges and solutions
The project commenced at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, which introduced significant challenges, including lockdown restrictions, material shortages, and staff absences due to self isolation. Tilbury Douglas worked closely with the DfE to implement strict Covid-safe site procedures, allowing construction to proceed safely.
Despite supply chain disruptions, the team proactively managed procurement and scheduling to maintain progress, while maintaining a collaborative approach with stakeholders to align expectations. The project was successfully delivered within the revised programme, ensuring minimal disruption to the school’s planned opening.
Added value
Tilbury Douglas prioritised social value throughout the project, with 86% of supply chain spend directed within 30 miles of the site and 89% allocated to SMEs. The project provided 60 apprentice weeks of training and created five employment opportunities, including roles for two ex-military personnel within Tilbury Douglas.
The team also engaged in community initiatives, raising £2,700 for the British Heart Foundation and partnering with Blackley Allotments to provide new perimeter fencing. Additionally, they collaborated with The Byron Society to create a new garden, shelter, and BBQ area for the local community. Despite Covid-19 limitations, the project delivered tangible social and economic benefits to the region.
Our partners
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M&E Engineer: Ridge and Partners
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Structural Engineer: Sutcliffe
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Architect: JM Architects