Kendal, Cumbria

Working on behalf of Cumbria County Council, Architects Plus were commissioned to produce a feasibility study for Sandgate Special Educational Needs School that identified the need to expand the existing school accommodation. Having previously been commissioned to design a new Key Stage 3 building for the same client, and with a wealth of experience for special educational needs facilities elsewhere in the County, Architects Plus have been able to provide a detailed technical design solution that seamlessly integrates the new proposals beside the existing facilities.  The proposals will provide 4 additional classrooms with associated facilities including: a multi-purpose hall; changing facilities; medical room, physiotherapy rooms; sensory rooms, plus additional staff office and staff changing rooms.  This will allow the school to accept a total of 80 pupils on the QKS site, which alongside their existing Sandylands Road site will allow a total of 120 pupils to be accepted.  An entirely new entrance to serve both the new extension and the existing school buildings will be created together with a dedicated pupil drop off and collection area for cars and minibuses.

A formal planning application has now been submitted and the project is being progressed through RIBA Stage 4 to finalise the design.