Our projects
Delivering inclusive environments across the UK
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Additional Learning Needs (ALN)
Case studies
Social, Emotional and Mental Health Difficulties (SEMH)
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)
Secure Children’s Homes (SCH)
By thoughtfully considering the design and delivery of each space, we can enhance the lives of the young people who use the buildings we create, ensuring they have efficient and effective access to therapeutic and inspirational spaces.
We build specialist SEND/ALN/ASN facilities all across the UK. The following pages provide a small snapshot of the schemes we have successfully delivered, working closely with our amazing clients.
Trevithick Learning Academy, Cornwall Cornwall Council
Extension of existing SEN school with new classrooms
New SEN facility consisting of new classrooms, WC, central resource areas, specialist hygiene room, PTA kitchen, office space, reception and external play area.
The Grove School, LondonHaringey Council
Refurbishment of a former council building
Kier was appointed to carry out a refurbishment of a 1904 building into a modern specialist school facility, to support students with autism.
Samuel Pepys Primary School, St NeotsCambridgeshire County Council
Specialist educational facility for 125 children and young people ages 3-19 with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
Kier designed and constructed an extension to the school as well as remodelling some existing learning spaces to benefit the school community. The new extension included a new main entrance to the school, dining hall and kitchen, meeting space and five new early years and KS1 classrooms, with hygiene room and soft play.
We had a really positive experience working with Kier, right from the very beginning. Kier was really sensitive to the needs of our community. The classroom spaces are so much better, they are lighter, brighter and well thought through. We are very very grateful for our wonderful new school building.
Lisburne School, StockportStockport Council
New Purpose built facility for 208 pupils ages 4-11
Designed to support children with complex needs, such as autism, severe and profound learning difficulties, and physical disabilities. Outdoor spaces play a key role, with a Forest School area that includes covered play areas and habitat and seating areas.
Sunningdale SchoolSunderland City Council
Specialist School for children with profound learning difficulties
Designed for 120 pupils, the school has a total floor space equivalent to around two football pitches, bigger class rooms, extra hall and therapy provisions including rebound therapy, hydrotherapy, light and sensory facilities and soft play.
Ysgol Cynefin, Fairwater and St Melons, LlanrumneyCardiff Council
Two new ALN facilities currently under construction
The schools are located at two existing primary schools in Cardiff. Accommodating 36 key stage two pupils, both sites will boast a range of facilities including sports and soft play areas and horticultural areas.
St John Vianney RC SEND School, StretfordDepartment for Education
Currently on site, new build facility for 160 pupils with special educational needs and disabilities
Due to complete in 2026, the school will serve students from primary to year 13. It will have primary and secondary SEND classrooms, ICT rooms, design and food technology spaces, science labs, salons, and fitness rooms. As the current school will stay open during construction, the project will be done in phases. Kier will collaborate with the school to provide updates and ensure smooth progress.
The whole school community are really excited about the new building development and have worked closely with Kier and their partners to ensure the project will develop a ‘state of the art’ facility to meet the needs of our SEND learners.
Carew Academy, LondonDepartment for Education
New build facility for 246 children and young adults with complex educational needs
The two-storey, 5000m2, facility will offer a wide variety of learning spaces for students aged 7-18 years old with Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD) and Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
A huge amount of effort has gone into designing, building, and moving into this new purpose-built school for Carew Academy and the result is fantastic. Everyone involved has been working towards one important goal – to transform the lives of the pupils and students that attend Carew Academy, and I am so very proud of what we have all achieved
Iffley Special School, OxfordOxfordshire County Council
New-build school for pupils with complex educational Needs
The academy judged ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted in 2019, is for pupils up to the age of 18 with complex special educational needs and disabilities. The academy replaces unfit for purpose old buildings, adding animal care, horticulture and construction facilities, a mock flat and pupil-run café.
Pinn River, Hillingdon, LondonDepartment for Education
Currently on site, Kier is delivering a new build SEND school
Funded by the Department for Education (DfE) and managed by The Eden Academy Trust, Pinn River will feature classrooms, activity spaces, learning hubs, life skills rooms and various therapy provisions.
Tain Campus, Tain, ScotlandThe Highland Council
New-build ASN supporting pupils with severe and complex needs
Providing specialist facilities for pupils ages 3-18, the school has been designed to meet and achieve Passivhaus standards and certification and once complete will be the largest such school in Scotland.
We’re delighted to support such an innovative programme and applaud the work Kier are doing with young people at Marjory Kinnon. It echoes the ethos behind our Youth, Skills and Employment Guarantee (YSEG) which seeks to develop and promote skills pathways that ensure young people in Hounslow are ready for the future, including those with special educational needs and disability (SEND).
Image: delivering Kiericulum at Majory Kinnon School
Find out more about our programme at Marjory Kinnon School
The delivery of our award winning ‘Kierriculum’ education programme, at Marjory Kinnon School, one of the largest SEND schools in the country. We worked with the Y11 students to explore careers in the construction industry, as part of our social value work in partnership with Heathrow and the London Borough of Hounslow, and delivered in conjunction with The Reach Foundation.The programme transformed perceptions about construction careers for students with learning difficulties, giving them the opportunity to see themselves working on projects right on their doorstep and impacting their local community.
SEMH facilities require careful consideration of both pupils and staff needs. The following examples demonstrate where Kier have collaborated with our some of our SEMH clients to deliver safe and supporting learning environments.
Riverside Meadows Academy, Wisbech CambridgeshireCambridgeshire Council
New SEMH special school for up to 60 pupils
Opened in 2023 as a new SEMH special school for up to 60 pupils. Kier collaborated closely with the client to develop exceptional facilities offering practical skills training.
It is fantastic that this investment has been made for the Wisbech area and we now have this amazing new building for Cambridgeshire.
Pupil Referral Unit, SwanseaSwansea Council
A new PRU for young people aged 5-16 years old
A new referral unit for young people Educated Other Than At School (EOTAS) with mental health difficulties and temporarily excluded from mainstream education
CAMHS are NHS services that provide support and treatment for childrenand young people experiencing mental health difficulties. The delivery of these services need specialist facilities to delivery supporting environments.
New Horizon Centre, GloucesterSouth Gloucestershire Council
New-build specialist school for secondary aged pupils
Pupils are described as having difficulties that present a barrier to learning. Kier developed the design from Stage B concept in house design to provide a design and construction solution.
The project team took on board my comments andfound solutions that led to a purpose-built school. Kier were great to work with.
Bournemouth CAMHS, DorsetBCP Council
New-build secure children's and adolescent facility
The project helps to define a new hospitals standard in terms of care provision and room standardisation best practices and will support reduced patient waiting times as well as faster recovery at reduced cost to the NHS.
SCH facilities in the UK provide specialised residential care for vulnerable children and young people aged 10-17. We collaborate with local authorities to design and create safe and secure environments enabling rehabilitation and education.
Millennium Lodge, LincolnshireLincolnshire County Council
Design of a new-build 28 bed secure children’s home
The home delivers tailored care in a high-quality, safe, and therapeutic environment with educational support and accommodation for young people with complex and multiple needs.
Vinney Green, BristolBristol City Council
Secure Children’s home for young people
Kier Design has completed a feasibility design of the new Secure Children’s home at Vinney Green in Bristol for Bristol City Council. The design aims to normalise social, mental wellbeing, healthcare and education as part of the Young Person’s daily routine.
