Session 1 - Department for Education Update: Policy & Design
The SEND & AP Improvement Plan 2023 - Towards a more inclusive education system
The first presentation provides an overview about the key elements of the government's current SEN Improvement Plan, with its focus on ensuring a more inclusive mainstream education system.
Speaker: André Imich, SEN and Disability Professional Adviser - Department for Education
DfE Capital approach to SENDAP & inclusive education setting design
The second presentation provides Local Authorities, other Responsible Bodies, Contractors, Architects & Designers with more detail on the DfE Design Team approach to SEND provision across the sector and capital programmes, to ensure more inclusive and sustainable mainstream schools, further education colleges, special schools and Alternative Provision.
Speaker: Mark Pratt, SEN & Disability Design Adviser, DfE Capital -Department for Education
Chairperson: Marcus Lyon, Director - AtkinsRéalis
Session 2 - SEND in Mainstream
Kentish Town Church of England Primary – LB Camden
Our school journey towards inclusion in a one form of entry mainstream primary with two Additionally Resourced Provisions. We have: 6 places for children with a physical disability, 15 places for children with a diagnosis of autism and 27 children on roll who have an Education Health and Care Plan.
Speaker: James Humphries, Head Teacher - Kentish Town Primary School
Speaker: Martin Harvey, Head of Design & Technical Services - McAvoy
Speaker: Andrew Ball, Project Director, SEN/ASN Specialist - Pinnacle
Chairperson: Claire Jackson, Education Director - Galliford Try
Session 3 - Cohort Changes - Flexibility of Space
This was a panel session looking at key lessons for how special schools can ensure that their existing and new buildings are flexible enough to meet the changing needs of their pupil cohort every year.
Chairperson: Sharon Wright, Senior Associate - the-Learning-crowd
Panellists:
Jo Marchant, Estates Professional - The Boxing Academy
Rachel Quick, Principal - The Wherry School
Session 4 - Lighting Impact Study
In a collaboration with University College London (UCL), Dr Shelley James, Haverstock with The Hawthorns School and Noviun Architects with Yeoman Park Academy a study was conducted to ascertain the general awareness of the importance of lighting and simple affordable retrofit solutions that could be applied to the spaces and how it could affect SEND pupils learning and well-being. Following the initial presentation, which raised awareness of different options of lighting, some of which included sensory lighting, the schools were left with the equipment presented and utilised these for a set period. The feedback of the most successful options has since been collected.
The study explored how lighting design can be utilised as a teaching tool, exploring the possibilities of introducing sensory processing elements into the classrooms and empowering teachers with the tools to customise and zone the lighting in spaces, drawing upon the feedback gained from the two schools involved. By combining theoretical awareness, observational results and practical retrofit lighting options, we aim to highlight the challenges faced by SEND pupils and teachers in existing learning environments as well as highlight areas where improvements are needed and showcase a path towards inclusive and effective lighting solutions that have the potential to enhance educational environments for all through more flexible solutions.
Speakers:
Zane Putne, SEND Director - Noviun Architects
Dr Shelley James - Age of Light Innovations Group
Anna Monaghan, Associate - Haverstock
Session 5 - Alternative Provision
Southwark Inclusive Learning Service
Southwark Inclusive Learning Service (SILS 3) is a new 'Pupil Referral Unit' school in Peckham, south London. The 11 to 14-year-old pupils are there for a number of reasons, typically because they have been excluded from, or have not been attending school. The aim of SILS 3 is to reintegrate students back into mainstream school.
In 2016 TRA were commissioned by Southwark Council to design a new building for their SILS3 school which caters for 11-14 year olds. The new building was built in the playground of a children’s home which was unsatisfactory accommodation. The design, which was based on much research, observation and consultation, resulted in a building which was transformational for SILS3. Its warm, light and beautiful spaces created a calm learning environment for the children. ‘The quality of our new building makes, at last, our children feel valued, the Head has said. The building won a RIBA National Award for Architecture and the New London Education Award and the Mayor of London’s Prize in 2022, the Mayor saying the project epitomised, in its inclusivity and diversity, the aspiration of London.
Speaker: Tim Ronalds, Founding Director - Tim Ronalds Architects
NOT OUT OF SIGHT OUT OF MIND
Our AP 14-19 building intent was always that it should embody the BBIH curriculum and different types of success and should be located at the heart of an exceptional education campus model, not out of sight out of mind.
The BBIH building design declared our high expectations at the outset and has evolved with us and helped shape the educational experience we need to offer our students. AP is a complex service to plan, deliver and get right and should be appropriate not alternative, as well as connected to a student’s whole school experience and an integral part of a wider local education system.
Speaker: Kathryn Burns, CEO - Beacon Academy Trust
Chairperson: Nikola Idle, Director of Consultancy - Shared Agenda
