SEND Hub for the Visually Impaired at Woking High School

Surrey County Council have an increasing need for SEND places and wanted to create additional provision for Visually Impaired students at Woking High School. TG Escapes provided them with a purpose-designed solution including 3 classrooms, breakout spaces, offices and toilets increasing capacity for 11-16 year olds from 12 to 20. The hub will also be used for additional teaching space for the main school. Completed onsite in 22 weeks the building is net-zero in operation.

TG Escapes were approached by Surrey County Council who recognised that our modern method of construction was the optimum delivery method due to the site’s challenging access and adverse topography. We engaged directly with Turner and Townsend (Surrey’s PM), the school and Surrey County Council to meet the end user’s vision and requirements. We were able to overcome the challenging topography and ground conditions via the use of a screw piled foundation solution and an external passenger lift which removed the need for an excessively long access ramp. Our approach ensured minimal disruption for the school. Once re-tendered we were instructed under a PCSA to undertake a detailed design exercise with regular design reviews with Turner and Townsend and AtkinsRealis who were the technical authority on the project.

The delivery phase included the demolition of an existing modular building, an enabling package to gain access and management of the statutory utility provider to bring in a new power supply. On completion, Ecophon undertook acoustic testing of the classrooms which shows that they exceed the requirements of BB93 Acoustic Design of Schools SEN standard, with the use of Ecophon Gedina tiles and Extra-Bass pads. As a result, this classroom will:

• Be quieter
• Have improved speech clarity = less repetition, less tiredness and fatigue for students
• Have less vocal strain
• Reduce heart rates
• Reduce blood pressure
• Reduce irritability
• Improve behaviour e.g. less hitting (especially furniture and themselves) from ASD students
• Improve information retention
• Improve group working
• Reduce absenteeism
• Improve motivation and academic aspirations

Shane Cryer, Concept Developer – Education, Saint-Gobain Ecophon says; “TG Escapes have easily achieved in their SEN unit in Woking that which some contractors complain is too difficult, a learning space that meets BB93: acoustic design of schools, for neurodivergent and hearing impaired SEN students. By utilising Ecophon’s low-cost, low-frequency Extra-Bass pads above the Ecophon Class A suspended ceiling, they have soaked up the unwanted bass frequencies that can otherwise be problematic and contribute to a disturbing, noisy environment. Sight-impaired students often develop enhanced hearing sensitivity, relying on their hearing to navigate and compensate for their sight loss. Clarity of speech and a low ambient noise level assist their ability to concentrate and focus on their lessons.”

Operations Manager at Woking High School, Julia Allen:

Why did you want to develop additional space?

Surrey County Council funded the project to provide space for additional Visually Impaired students.

What made TG Escapes stand out from other providers?

Communication of the project and how it was progressing at all times.

What are the biggest benefits you have noticed for the pupils and staff?

Size and quality of the building and the attention to meet the school’s specific needs in design.