Construction of London’s first severe learning difficulties PFI school completed

03/12/2004

Construction has been completed on London’s first bespoke PFI school for pupils with severe learning disabilities, it was announced today. The new school is situated in the London Borough of Harrow.

Completion, on schedule, of the highly specialised New Woodlands First and Middle School ends the first phase of a three-phase, £19 million PFI scheme, which provides these children with severe and complex learning difficulties with a supportive environment that is integrated into a broader educational campus. The future phases will comprise the refurbishment of the existing primary school and the building of a new SEN secondary school. The project is being managed by PFI sponsor Mill Group, through its ‘Investors in the Community’ (IIC) programme.

In line with the Government’s aim of greater integration for special needs teaching in mainstream education, the New Woodlands First and Middle School has been built adjacent to Little Stanmore First and Middle School, which is being refurbished in Phase Two of the scheme. Kingsley High, for secondary-aged pupils, including post- 16 students, with severe learning and complex needs, will be rebuilt on its existing Harrow site in Phase Three. A complex programme of decanting is ensuring the continued delivery of education on the two sites.

Designed by Nicholas Hare Architects and constructed by Carillion Building, in response to a detailed brief developed in partnership with the London Borough of Harrow, the innovative New Woodlands School includes a hydrotherapy pool, class rooms with the highest acoustic rating to ensure low levels of sound reverberation, and extensive landscaping. The interior is light, airy and spacious with natural ventilation and under floor heating.

Councillor Bill Stephenson, portfolio holder for education, Harrow Council commented: “The New Woodlands School is everything we hoped for and more. Its state-of-the-art design and facilities will provide substantially enhanced provision for special needs education in Harrow, as well as an excellent resource for the wider community. We are delighted with the close partnership which has been developed between our Council Officers and Mill Group’s team, Carillion and Nicholas Hare, resulting in this striking facility.”

The refurbishment of Little Stanmore School is scheduled for completion in February 2005. Construction of Kingsley High is due to be completed by February 2006.

David Toplas, Chief Executive, Mill Group, commented: “New Woodlands School exemplifies the quality of innovative, tailored facilities that the Investors in the Community Programme aims to deliver to local communities, via public-private partnerships. We look forward to providing more schools to cater across the whole spectrum of needs under the new Building Schools for the Future programme.”

Tony Lenehan, Managing Director of Carillion Building, added: “The strength of partnership we have achieved with all key participants on this project has contributed significantly to the success of the design and smooth delivery of its construction to date, and will stand us in good stead as we move into the final phases of the project. Carillion’s core values of openness, honesty, collaboration, mutual dependency and professional delivery have helped ensure good working relationships with both the Mill Group and Nicholas Hare throughout the duration of the contract. This scheme represents a continuation of Carillion’s relationship with the Mill Group, following the successful delivery of Hackney’s Technology and Learning Centre in 2002.”