Post Occupancy Evaluation of special schools
Claire Jackson, Education Director, Galliford Try

During the last three years Galliford Try has been involved with delivering 17 Special Schools, Additional Support Needs schools and Inclusive Learning Environments.

Our project locations range from Dorset in the South of England to North Ayrshire in Scotland and we are working with a range of stakeholders and clients, from the Department for Education and Local Authorities through to specialist Multi-Academy Trusts, such as the National Autistic Society Academies Trust.

Our projects cover the spectrum of needs from social, emotional and mental health, through moderate learning difficulties to complex needs and providing respite and residential care.

We are currently carrying out formal Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE) processes for each of our completed schools, involving qualitative and quantitative analysis.

Case Study: Lockhart Campus
Kevin Cooper, Director, NORR

NORR has significant experience of the design of special needs (or ASN) schools over the past 10 years. We would like to show a selection of these and explain the lessons learned in each case. Particular emphasis would however be placed on our Lockhart Campus for North Ayrshire Council, and we would deliver our presentation in conjunction with the client for that project. We will be discussing:

• How carefully considered design can support better outcomes for special needs children?
• What are the most important aspects to consider in the design of successful SEN (ASN) environments?
• What differences, is any, are there in the design process for ASN schools compared to mainstream buildings?
• How important is the design of F,F+E in creating optimum ASN environments?