£21m Send School to create an extra 230 spaces in Northamptonshire

04 September 2024

The delivery of the new 230-place school in Tiffield, Northamptonshire, has reached a significant milestone. Following the demolition and clearance of the site, which took place this spring, the steelwork for the school is now complete.

Being built on St Johns Road, on the former St Johns Centre site, the construction project is being led by national contractor Willmott Dixon for West Northamptonshire Council, Greenwood Academies Trust and the Department for Education. The new school will provide additional special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) spaces in the local community.

Set to complete in Summer 2025, the specialist school will improve access to education and increase the support available to families. Pupils aged four to 18 years old will benefit from a variety of facilities including specialist teaching spaces, a soft playroom, a sensory room and a rebound therapy room. 

A playground, outdoor soft and hard play areas, and staff and visitor car parking are also included within the plans. A drop-off area and additional queuing space will also be available, making drop-off and collection easier for pupils and parents. Due to the rural landscape surrounding the school, landscaping has been prioritised on the 20,217sqm site to ensure the school blends in with the surrounding area.

“Our record of delivering SEND schools within the East Midlands is something we take great pride in. We approach each project with the unique needs of the local community, students and staff in mind, and look forward to delivering a school that meets these requirements.

“We are embedding a range of sustainable elements in this project to help futureproof the school and make it energy efficient. The school will be powered by photovoltaics (PVs) and utilise air source heat pumps, aligning with our continual commitment to sustainability.”Nick Heath, director at Willmott Dixon

“It is great news that the main construction work has started to deliver a new special school for children and young people with SEND, and their families. We know there is a shortfall of placements in West Northants and that demand is continuing to increase, so this is very much needed. The new facility will offer high-quality education and learning facilities in a positive environment.

“Once the school opens it will help us to manage the demand we are seeing for placements as we continue on our improvement journey. The team involved will continue to work closely with all partners and stakeholders to ensure all are kept up to date and informed on progress.”Cllr Fiona Baker, Cabinet Member for Childrens, Families, Education and Skills at WNC

The school’s sustainable approach will also support West Northamptonshire Council’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030.  

Joining Willmott Dixon on the project team are Associated Architects, Hexa Consulting, JEH Planning, Ares Landscape Architects and SVM Building Services Design.

For more information about Willmott Dixon, visit www.willmottdixon.co.uk.