Race Cottam completes SEN project in Bradford

Race Cottam Associates has completed work on a landmark scheme to co-locate a special educational needs (SEN) and mainstream primary school in West Yorkshire.

The project has brought together the mainstream primary school Merlintop, and the SEN primary school, Phoenix.

Education design specialists Race Cottam worked closely with governors, head teachers, staff, parents, pupils and other stakeholders to create a design which incorporates sufficient and flexible accommodation for personalised learning, inclusion and extended schools provision.

Race Cottam were appointed by Educo, a joint venture between Costain and Ferrovial Agroman, to deliver this project, funded by Bradford Council and the Government's Primary Capital Programme.

Two further SEN primaries in Bradford also designed by Race Cottam Associates, Delius and Chellow Heights, have also opened their doors to pupils.

Design elements of the new schools, according to Building Schools for the Future (BSF) guidelines include more welcoming entrances, wider corridors, more use of natural light, the creation of social spaces and more imaginative use of colour.

Hydrotherapy pools are also a key feature of the SEN schools.

The SEN school caters for children with severe learning difficulties, physical disabilities, severe autism and more complex needs.

The design had to take account of not only circulation and access for disabled people, but also the suitability of workstations, the layout of the school and the whole physical environment.

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