Creating a specialist learning environment where every pupil can thrive

Client: Department for Education

Conlon Construction delivered The Orchards School, a purpose-built specialist primary school designed to support children with special educational needs through high-quality learning environments, tailored facilities and specialist therapeutic provision.

Developed on behalf of the Department for Education, the school was designed around the needs of its pupils, creating a welcoming, inclusive and highly supportive environment that enables children to achieve their full potential.

The Challenge

The project required the delivery of a specialist educational facility capable of supporting pupils with a diverse range of learning, physical and developmental needs.

Every aspect of the building needed to be carefully considered, from classroom design and accessibility through to specialist therapeutic facilities and safe, efficient access for families, staff and transport providers.

Our Solution

Conlon delivered a comprehensive design and build programme, including:

• A new 96-place specialist primary school
• 14 purpose-built SEN classrooms
• State-of-the-art hydrotherapy pool
• Specialist learning and support environments
• Dedicated staff and administration facilities
• Enhanced access and circulation arrangements
• Improvements to the shared access road
• Additional parking provision
• Infrastructure to support specialist transport requirements
• Subsequent expansion to incorporate nursery accommodation for up to 14 pupils

The hydrotherapy pool provides a particularly valuable addition to the school, offering therapeutic support that helps pupils develop physical strength, mobility, confidence and independence.

The Outcome

The completed Orchards School provides a highly specialised educational environment designed around the unique needs of its pupils, creating a place where children can learn, develop and thrive in a safe and supportive setting.

By combining specialist teaching spaces with therapeutic facilities and carefully considered infrastructure, the project delivers far more than a school building – it provides a foundation for lifelong learning, wellbeing and personal development.

The development demonstrates Conlon’s expertise in delivering specialist education facilities where understanding user needs, attention to detail and collaboration are critical to creating environments that genuinely improve lives.

I’d like to take the opportunity on behalf of Jacobs on saying a massive thank you to Conlon construction in the delivery of what is to date one of the best schemes in regards quality of finish and workmanship we’ve seen.