TG Escapes Blog

Our First Two Modular SEND Buildings

Jul 3, 2024 | Blog

2015: Our first SEND buildings

In 2015 we finished our first two SEND buildings, offering high-quality educational spaces to children with specialist needs at Pengwern College and Darwin School. Since then, we’ve created many more beautiful SEND spaces, with students and staff alike benefitting from our bespoke design process and our commitment to biophilic principles.

Over the last 9 years, our team has created beautiful, sustainable, and fully featured classrooms, intervention spaces, and performance spaces for SEND students across the UK. Our modular system, biophilic design principles, and in-house design and build process are particularly suited to meeting SEND needs within mainstream or specialist schools. 

In 2015 we worked with the Cambian Group on two bespoke building projects across their sites. These initial projects marked a significant milestone, underscoring our dedication to providing nurturing and adaptable spaces for students with complex needs.

Our journey into SEND

As we design and build every project ourselves using a panelised modular system, we can create hugely customised solutions for each client. This meant that when an SEND provider approached us we knew that we’d be able to meet their needs, from installing low stimuli rooms to ensuring great views of nature. The first of these two projects, completed in 2015, was at Pengwern College.

Eco Building at Pengwern College

Project spotlight: Pengwern College

Pengwern College, located in North Wales, is a specialist further education institution catering to young people aged 16 to 25 with learning disabilities and complex needs. In 2015, the college sought to replace its outdated mobile units with classrooms designed to meet their students' unique requirements. TG Escapes was chosen for our ability to create biophilic, sensory-friendly spaces that enhance learning and calmness. 

The new buildings, featuring ample natural light and views of the outdoors, have significantly improved student engagement and well-being. Read more about the project here.

Project spotlight: Darwin School

Darwin School provides specialised education for children with behavioural and learning difficulties. Following the success of the Pengwern College project, our team were commissioned again to create additional classroom space. 

The new facility, built in 2015, emphasised our biophilic design principles, blending seamlessly with the natural environment and offering a calm, sensory-friendly atmosphere. Read more about the project here.

Sensory Room for SEND at Pengwern College

Why TG Escapes are so suited to meet SEND needs

Since 2015 we’ve worked with clients across the UK on high-quality SEND buildings, from standalone intervention spaces to larger classroom blocks. Here are just some of the reasons we excel within the SEND field:

  • Biophilic Design Principles: Our design team works to maximise natural light and views of nature, creating calming, stress-reducing environments essential for SEND students. Using natural materials like timber further enhances the sensory experience, creating peaceful spaces perfect for individuals or classes.
  • Customisation and Flexibility: Each building is bespoke and designed to meet the specific needs of the school and its students. As we use a panelised modular approach we can truly customise the layout and size of rooms, from the placement of intervention spaces to the size of classrooms. Our buildings are simple to expand over time, letting your space grow with your school.
  • Sustainability and Net-Zero Operation: We specify every building to be net zero in operation as standard, utilising a sustainable fabric first approach and energy-efficient technologies like heat source air pumps. This supports environmental goals and reduces long-term energy costs.
  • Turnkey Service: TG Escapes provides end-to-end project management, handling everything from design to construction. We provide clients across the education sector with a smooth, stress-free process, delivering a high-quality finished product every time.
  • Positive Impact on Students: The calming, sensory-friendly environments help students with autism and other sensory processing issues feel more comfortable and engaged. These thoughtfully designed spaces contribute to better engagement, higher attendance, and improved academic performance.

TG Escapes' dedication to creating supportive, sustainable, and adaptable educational environments makes them the ideal partner for schools looking to enhance their SEND provision. Explore some of our case studies to see more of our projects, or speak to a member of our team to learn more about our SEND projects.

About the author

Mark Brown
Consultant at TG Escapes - Mark has spent time growing up with the army, studying computing before the internet existed, and founding The London Classic Theatre Company, self sustaining for over 25 years. He trained in marketing with Unilever before moving into advertising as a strategist with Leo Burnett, Creative Director at Starcom and founder of award winning creative agency Weapon7. He has a passion for eco buildings and helps run the social enterprise Street Wisdom, providing free creative walkshops around the world.

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