Case Study
Work Skills and Enterprise Centre at St Joseph’s Specialist Trust
2021: Our work skills centre for St Joseph’s
This 2021 project for St Joseph’s, a specialist SEND school, remains one of our most visually striking buildings. Designed around two hybrid workshops/classrooms, and built to achieve net zero, the client was thrilled at the cost-effectiveness of our modular options and how we were able to meet our budget and timelines all during the COVID pandemic.
St Joseph’s Specialist Trust is a co-educational residential and day school catering for children between the ages of 5 – 19 with complex and severe learning difficulties. This building provides workshop and teaching space for work skills, and is net-zero in operation.
With an outstanding Ofsted rating, St Joseph’s is non-maintained and has full DCSF approval. They currently deal with around 20 local authorities and have built up a wide reputation for high-quality provision for students with complex special needs. We worked with them on a Work Skills and Enterprise Centre, with a bespoke design completely tailored to their needs and location. The building featured two large spaces designed to work as both classrooms and workshops, alongside a commercial kitchen and cafe space designed for both dining and social needs. It also features an office, toilet facilities, and a covered exterior decking providing easy access to nature.
Our team utilised sustainable timber panelling, and power-saving measures, alongside high-quality solar panels to make the building net zero. The building was designed to maximise natural light and fresh air throughout. The wooded surroundings of St Jospehs make the perfect backdrop for our attractive timber building, ensuring that students have access to a fully equipped multi-use space.
Why did you want to develop additional space?
To provide new classroom/workshops for work skills and wider community with respectful consideration of the special needs that our young people have.
What made TG Escapes stand out from other providers?
TG took a project that was unaffordable as a traditional build and through bespoke modular design and construction delivered an outstanding building on time and in-budget. An impressive feat particularly during a global pandemic and Brexit.
What are the biggest benefits you have noticed for the pupils and staff?
The benefits of natural light and energy features, adaptable spaces and easy access to the outside – creating great places and inspiring environments for all to thrive.
