Shorefields School is a specialist education provider supporting children and young people with a wide range of complex learning needs. Due to increasing pupil admissions and the requirement to expand provision for 16–19-year old learners, the school needed additional high-quality teaching space.
Barker worked in close partnership with Essex County Council (ECC) and the appointed contractor to deliver a new teaching block designed to enhance learning, independence and wellbeing for older SEN students.
The school required a flexible and future-ready building that would support increasing pupil numbers and provide dedicated spaces tailored to older SEN learners. Barker explored both traditional and modular construction options and developed a solution that would offer the best value and quick delivery with minimal disruption.
The final proposal delivered two new classrooms, two breakout spaces, toilets (including an accessible facility), and essential storage areas, along with an enclosed external space to support safe outdoor learning.
Operating on a live SEN school site required careful planning, safeguarding, and communication. The contractor appointed a fully qualified non-working foreman to oversee day-to-day site management, ensuring safe movement across the campus and minimising disruption.
The site was securely enclosed, and the build programme was coordinated to avoid impacts on school routines. Despite these constraints, the project atmosphere remained positive. Close collaboration between all parties ensured that all technical decisions were made swiftly, enabling the programme to stay on track.
The new building was delivered to a high standard and fully met the school’s ambitions for expanded SEN provision. Shorefields School successfully welcomed new learners into the space from the planned intake date, with no delay to occupation.
Stakeholder feedback was extremely positive, and the school celebrated the completion with a formal opening event marking a significant milestone in its ongoing development.
