The up to 150-place co-educational special educational needs and disability (SEND) school specialises in autism and complex needs of pupils aged 2–19-years-old. The project was funded by the Department for Education and the new school is managed by Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust.
The new school offers a wide variety of special learning spaces including classrooms, a science lab, art room, music room, food technology room, hall spaces, library, sensory/calm rooms, soft play, professional kitchen, supporting staff spaces and a passenger lift. It has been designed to address the complex needs of the students with all classrooms boasting excellent acoustic performance to enhance their learning experience.
In line with Kier's Building for a Sustainable World sustainability strategy, the relandscaping design of the site achieved zero export of materials, with all excavated materials re-used in line with a specialist remediation strategy. The demolition of the existing community centre achieved the pre-demolition audit target of over 900tons of recovered material and the design and construction of the new building achieved the BREEAM Excellent standard.
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David McKenzie, managing director for Kier Construction London, South and Strategic Projects said: "We are delighted to hand this fantastic facility over to Croydon Council and Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust, which addresses the urgent need for more SEND places in the borough and surrounding communities.
"We have been able to showcase our sustainability credentials on the project and it builds on our team's vast experience in building SEND facilities. It has been a pleasure to work in collaboration with the council and the trust in providing a state-of-the-art facility that addresses the cognitive, sensory, social, emotional, communication and behavioural needs of the students."
Councillor Alisa Flemming, cabinet member for children, families and learning, said: "Addington Valley is a stunning new facility that will make an immeasurable difference to so many of our children, young people and families. This building will enable them to access first-class learning, opportunities and support, near their homes, in an environment that has been tailored to their every need. I'm absolutely delighted to see it open in our borough and look forward to seeing our pupils thriving in their new school."
John Reilly, Principal of Addington Valley Academy said: "We are delighted to be in our new school building, students are thriving in their new learning environment and benefiting from the purposed designed facilities. The large classrooms and outdoor sensory play areas provide students with lots of freedom and space to enjoy a creative approach to learning.
"Our new soft play area is a fun, engaging safe place to play and excellent for therapists to deliver occupational therapies. The indoor sensory rooms with bubble tubes and fibre optic lighting enables students to relax and enjoy some calm time."
Kier's experience of delivering intricate SEND facilities across London include Spa School in Camberwell, a co-educational special school for students aged 5 to 16 with autism, and the multi award winning Greenwood Centre, a resource and community centre run by people with disabilities for people with disabilities. Key accolades for this scheme include Construction News Project of the Year (under £20m), Construction Manager of the Year Award (Matthew Davies) and Considerate Constructors Scheme National Gold Award.
