Knighton Fields SEN School Leicester, UK

SGP was appointed as RIBA Stage 5 architect, delivering the extensive internal remodelling and refurbishment to transform the former performing arts facility and domestic science college into a modern teaching facility incorporating specialist elements to support SEN pupils.

In addition to ancillary facilities such as staff room, offices and toilets, main hall, and reception with parent room, the building has been reconfigured to include classrooms, with specialist catering rooms. The layout includes sensory rooms and an independent living room – set out like a studio apartment with kitchenette, so students can get a feel of living independently. Externally, a play area with soft surfacing has also been added.

Once we got on site and began working closely with the Contractor and the End User, previously under-designed issues were uncovered. For example, in the classrooms, which had been drama studios, we had to lower the ceilings and install acoustic ceiling and wall panels to meet Building Bulletin 93 acoustic requirements to make the classrooms fit for practical use.