Silverwood SEN School
Footprint Architects developed the feasibility study and masterplan for a state-of-the-art special educational needs SEN school in Wiltshire. The new multimillion-pound Silverwood School offers a highly bespoke learning environment for pupils with a range of needs, including Autism Spectrum Disorder ASD and Profound & Multiple Learning Disabilities PMLD.
People & Communities
The new SEND Centre of Excellence will provide 350 much needed places for students with special educational needs across Wiltshire
A State of The Art SEND Provision
The masterplan was developed to help the students maximise their potential within a safe and secure educational environment. Our architects used their expertise in good spatial arrangement, acoustics, lighting and materials to offer an inclusive and immersive setting for pupils with special educational needs.
The new SEN school will cater for up to 350 pupils across the nursery, primary, secondary and sixth form age range. This enables the school to meet the future demand for special educational need places throughout Wiltshire. The new centre-of-excellence will offer state of the art facilities for students with autism, SLD and PMLD, including hydrotherapy, sensory, and health facilities, as well as a farm and cafe for vocational learning.
Sustainable School Design
The masterplan and arrangement of the site was developed to enable the new school to be as energy efficient and sustainable as possible, with the target of meeting Net Zero Carbon in Operation. Careful consideration of orientation and passive environmental design enables the teaching spaces to be filled with natural daylight and good ventilation, whilst reducing operational carbon emissions.
The new building is to be constructed using cross laminated timber CLT, offering low embodied carbon, improved thermal comfort, a fast build time, as well as a natural, tactile and robust finish.
A Sensitive Approach
The masterplan required a sensitive approach to the site, which featured an historic Grade II listed former stately home in heart of the grounds, as well as a nearby Site of Special Scientific Interest SSSI.
We developed a ‘School within a School’ strategy to minimise the scale and impact of the development, by offering a community of small and intimate teaching clusters. This approach enabled the layout of the school to be clear and easily understood by all, whilst making the most of the unique opportunity that a listed building and farm presented for vocational learning.
Sustainablity
The masterplan and arrangement of the site was developed to enable the new school to be as energy efficient and sustainable as possible, with the target of meeting Net Zero Carbon in Operation. Careful consideration of orientation and passive environmental design enables the teaching spaces to be filled with natural daylight and good ventilation, whilst reducing operational carbon emissions.
Putting young people at the heart of the school design
The masterplan was developed to provide a safe and secure environment, without feeling institutional. Opportunities to connect pupils and staff with the surrounding landscape creates an inspiring and sensory learning environment that promotes inclusion and offers independence.
The new special school will feature:
– General and specialist teaching classrooms
– EYFS and nursery provision
– Specialist health and therapy facilities
– A state of the art hydrotherapy suite
– Soft play spaces, as well as external breakout and sensory gardens
– Life skills development facilities, including a cafe and farm centre offering community engagement
Context & Place
We saw the educational value that a listed building and farm could have on the wellbeing and learning of the students. We developed a ‘School within a School’ strategy to minimise the scale and impact of the development, by offering a community of small and intimate teaching clusters.
Relevant Projects
Award winning entrance pavilion & expansion of a grade II listed victorian school
A vibrant Post 16 centre that promotes independence for young people with autism spectrum disorder ASD
The first purpose built special educational needs school of its kind in Bournemouth
Get Your Project Off The Ground
Get in touch today to kick-start your project. Let us know a few details and we’ll be in touch to discuss bringing your vision to life.
