Creating a specialist school designed around individual needs

Client: The Spring Board Project

Conlon Construction transformed an existing office building into The Spring Board Project, a specialist free school providing dedicated educational provision for young people with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs.

Working closely with the trust, the project converted a conventional commercial building into a nurturing, purpose-designed learning environment that supports engagement, wellbeing and positive educational outcomes.

The Challenge

The project required the complete transformation of a three-storey office building into a specialist educational setting capable of meeting the complex needs of SEMH learners.

Unlike traditional school environments, specialist provisions require carefully considered spaces that promote wellbeing, reduce anxiety and support positive behaviour, making close collaboration with the trust essential throughout the design and delivery process.

Our Solution

Conlon delivered a comprehensive remodelling and refurbishment programme, including:

• Conversion of an existing three-storey office building
• Full internal refurbishment throughout
• Reconfiguration of learning and support spaces
• Specialist teaching environments
• Dedicated pupil support facilities
• Staff and administration accommodation
• Building-wide upgrades and modernisation works
• Improvements to accessibility, functionality and wellbeing

The project transformed approximately 675m² of accommodation, creating a specialist learning environment designed around the needs of a maximum of 50 pupils.

The Outcome

The completed school provides a safe, supportive and engaging environment where young people can access the specialist education and support they need to succeed.

By repurposing an existing commercial building, the project delivered a high-quality educational facility tailored to the requirements of SEMH learners, creating spaces that help pupils build confidence, develop resilience and achieve positive outcomes.

The strength of the partnership approach was reflected in the client’s feedback, with the trust describing both the finished project and the working relationship as “nothing short of superb.”

From the moment that Conlon were awarded the contract, the relationship between colleagues from the trust and yourselves has been nothing short of superb.