Kier to deliver new SEND school for Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust

Kier has been appointed to deliver the new Carew Academy, a special educational needs and disability (SEND) school for pupils in the London Borough of Sutton.

The project is funded by the Department for Education and the new school will be managed by Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust.

The new facility will replace the current Carew Academy and will extend the provision for additional and complex learning needs in the area by offering 246 places for children and young people in the Sutton, South London and South East region.

The two storey, 5000m2, facility will offer a wide variety of special learning spaces that combines art, drama, food technology, music, sports, science, life skills, social and information and communication technology (ICT) facilities with a full range of onsite therapies including speech and language therapy, emotional literacy, and occupational therapy.

John Bolton, regional director for Kier Construction, London and Southern, said: “We are proud to be working in partnership with the Department for Education and Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust again in delivering a new outstanding SEND facility to address the increased need for specialist education places in the borough and surrounding communities.

“During this project we will also provide wider social and economic benefits to the community by offering work placements and apprenticeships, procuring materials locally where possible, volunteering with local community groups and engaging with local schools.”

James Kearns, Principal for Carew Academy said: “We are looking forward to moving into a new school building that has been purpose designed to meet our student’s needs. The new facilities and equipment will provide them with a modern, safe, inspiring space to learn and thrive.”

This is the second facility that Kier will deliver for Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust, having recently completed the multi-award-winning Addington Valley Academy in Croydon. Key accolades for this project include Education Business Awards’ School Building of the Year and a Gold Construction Manager of the Year Award (Ed Dwight).

This appointment builds on Kier’s extensive experience of delivering SEND facilities in London, including Spa School in Camberwell, a co-educational special school for students with autism, and the multi-award winning Greenwood Centre, a resource and community centre that is run by people with disabilities, for people with disabilities. Key accolades for this scheme include Construction News Project of the Year (under £20m), Gold Construction Manager of the Year Award (Matthew Davies) and Considerate Constructors Scheme National Gold Award.