Learning

Drummond Special Needs School

Brief

The Drummond School project was part of the Highland Schools PPP2 programme and involved the replacement of the existing special needs school with a new school incorporating a stand-alone multi-agency centre.  The new facilities are designed to serve the needs of nursery, primary and secondary pupils who have a wide range of special educational needs, in particular those with severe and complex needs, multi-sensory impairment and children with learning difficulties and autism.

Response

As the new building was to be located adjacent to the existing school, a phased approach was defined allowing the construction of the new school to progress with minimal disruption to existing activities.  In the initial stages of the design, workshops were held with key stakeholders and study trips were undertaken to establish best practice in both care and education provision to address the specific needs of Drummond School.  Our desire was to design a building without boundaries, where both the internal and external environments were readily accessible, whilst ensuring that freedom of movement for pupils was adequately supported to create an environment of confidence and progress.

Outcome

Drummond School carefully balances the attributes of accessibility and security, freedom and comfort, education and care in a spacious and calming modern flexible environment.  Along with the traditional teaching spaces, the school includes a swimming pool, hydrotherapy facilities, a life skills apartment and a physiotherapy suite.  Phase two of the project saw the demolition of the original school building and construction of the multi-agency centre providing dedicated accommodation for healthcare and social work professionals, including voluntary sector support.  There is provision for eighty pupils from birth to eighteen years of age which imposes complex physical and management considerations.  The project lead and Drummond School's headmistress embraced our listening approach and actively collaborated in researching and developing ideas.

Team