We collaborated with Surrey County Council on this eco-friendly building designed around the needs of visually impaired students. Thanks to our innovative screw-piled foundations and bespoke design process, we were able to work around the difficult topography of the site to deliver the exact building needed for staff and students.
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:
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.”
At the opening ceremony the schools’ headteacher Mrs Maiken Walter said;
“I would like to pass my thanks on to Clive, the project manager from TG Escapes. From the moment he got on board with the whole project, it just ran really smoothly. They understood the needs of the school regarding safety, timings and events. Because, of course, in schools you’ve got exams and stuff like that. So it’s not helpful if there’s lots of noise going on at certain times. They were really accommodating with regards to that which is brilliant. Even now Julia calls Clive regularly for advice and help on little things regarding the building.
Also, a huge thank you to Ali and Hussein who worked through wind, rain, (a lot of rain), worked weekends and bank holidays, to construct the building. So a huge thank you to those people for putting in that effort and what it really achieved was to create a building that felt cared about from the word go; that mattered to both the people who were building it, and to us as well.”
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.
“TG escapes have their own design team and we were quite happy that they met Surrey’s aspirations in terms of carbon net-zero. The quality is outstanding, as is the speed of construction. The TG Escapes buildings we’ve had have been right first time and snag free give or take a few bits and pieces. We get a good quality product that is delivered on time and absolutely meets the needs of our delivery programme.”
David Webb, Principal Project Manager, Capital Projects, Surrey County Council.
"A pleasure to work with."
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