Special Educational Needs and Disabilities: Oakwood College Case Study - Case Study

Project:

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities: Oakwood College Case Study

Location:

Yate, South Gloucestershire

In Brief:

As the need for specialist SEND facilities has grown across the UK, we’ve proudly supported one of the country’s leading providers in helping meet that demand.

A long-term client, they trust us to create safe, supportive environments where children and young adults with SEMH (social, emotional and mental health needs), autism and learning difficulties can thrive. Together, we’ve developed several purpose-built sites, with our end-to-end service ensuring every stage is seamlessly delivered to the highest standards.

Our Second Project

Following the successful adaptation of a former nursery in North Bristol, the group had identified an empty office block in Yate, South Gloucestershire, as a potential new site. With generous rooms, ample break-out areas and good accessibility, the space showed promise. However, all SEND facilities demand exceptionally high standards and exacting specifications.

Trusted to provide the insight and guidance required, our role was to help bring our client’s vision – and the building – to life.

Site Suitability and Design Solutions

We began by carrying out a comprehensive, needs-led site assessment, considering factors such as accessibility, room layouts, and detailed considerations including electrical sockets and light switch locations.

The resulting Conditions Survey gave our client full confidence that the site could fulfil their ambitions and that the leasehold wouldn’t hinder the group in future. The site was secured and we proceeded to designs, ensuring key requirements such as wider doorways, new electrics, and dedicated one-to-one, group learning and break-out spaces were incorporated.

From Planning to Procurement

With the designs agreed, we led the project through planning before developing a detailed build specification, enabling us to oversee a smooth and competitive tender process. After reviewing the submissions, we made our construction partner recommendation based on price, previous experience, proposed approach and timescales.

We drew up the contracts, aligned all parties, then managed the entire adaptation process, ensuring the project achieved agreed specifications and conformed to budgets and timings throughout.

The college has since gone on to support those who rely on its facilities and the incredible care its team provides every day. So much so that Ofsted has granted the college Outstanding certification – high praise indeed.

An Outstanding Facility

Once the work had been completed we carried out a thorough site assessment before signing off the work and handing the space, ready-to-go, to a delighted client.

The college has since gone on to support those who rely on its facilities and the incredible care its team provides every day. So much so that Ofsted has granted the college Outstanding certification – high praise indeed.

We have since overseen the transformation of a further five SEND facilities across the UK. To discuss how we can support your project, contact Ben O’Brien on 0117 942 8776 or email info@eastonbevins.co.uk

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