Willmott Dixon to deliver £21m SEND school

Willmott Dixon has been appointed through the Department for Education’s Construction Framework to build a £21.4m school for West Northamptonshire Council.

Construction work on the 230 space special education needs and disabilities (SEND) school in Tiffield, Northamptonshire has started, with completion set for Summer 2025.

The school for pupils aged four to 18 years old will include a variety of facilities including specialist teaching spaces, a soft playroom, a sensory room and a rebound therapy room. A playground, outdoor soft and hard play areas, and staff and visitor car parking are also included within the plans.

Sustainability is at the heart of the school’s design, with the three-storey building being powered by photovoltaics (PVs) and heated by air source heat pumps. The design will enhance energy efficiency through high levels of air tightness and insulation, supporting West Northamptonshire Council’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030.

This appointment is the latest in a series of SEND schools for Willmott Dixon. Other examples include an extensive £100m SEND school programme in Lincolnshire, and a net-zero in operation SEND school in Wiltshire.

Nick Heath, director at Willmott Dixon, said: “We have a strong record of delivering SEND schools - helping local authorities to meet the specialist educational requirements of local children and their families is something we take great pride in. Alongside specialist facilities, we are also helping customers to future-proof their schools by embedding sustainability. In the case of Tiffield School, this will also help to meet the council’s aspirations to be carbon neutral by 2030.”

Cllr Fiona Baker, Cabinet Member for Childrens, Families, Education and Skills at WNC, said: “We are pleased that work has started to deliver a new special school for children and young people with SEND, and their families. We know there is a shortfall of placements in West Northants and that demand is continuing to increase, so this is very much needed. The new facility will offer high-quality education and learning facilities in a positive environment.

“Once the school opens it will help us to manage the demand we are seeing for placements as we continue on our improvement journey. The team involved will continue to work closely with all partners and stakeholders to ensure all are kept up to date and informed on progress.”

The new school is being built on a 20,217sqm site formerly belonging to St Johns Centre. Due to the rural landscape surrounding, designs have ensured the new build blends in with the rural setting.

Joining Willmott Dixon on the project team are Associated Architects, Hexa Consulting, JEH Planning, Ares Landscape Architects and SVM Building Services Design.