The Brief:
We managed a scheme to improve facilities at Hull’s Rising Stars School, to create new accessible classrooms for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The Solution:
Rising Stars is for students with cognition and learning and speech, language and communication needs, with students also often having other sensory or physical impairments or disabilities. Part of the Constellation Trust, Rising Stars is located on the site of Francis Askew Primary School, but in a separate building with all its own facilities. Their aim is to provide an outstanding education that ensures all students make academic progress, regardless of their abilities, developing skills in preparation for them to be able to take their place in society as responsible adults who can make a positive contribution to their community.
This project hugely expanded their existing facility, subdividing a large void space to create five new classrooms, a dedicated group room, improved dining facilities and modern toilet facilities, alongside improved accessibility features such as wider corridors and ramped access.
The Challenges:
It was important for us that we engaged with young people at the school to gain an understanding of their requirements.
As well as encouraging students to learn about the construction activities happening on site, work experience opportunities were provided, we also went one step further for one young person who had a real passion and knowledge of construction machinery.
To help him concentrate on his lessons while work was going on, Sewell Construction’s site manager gave the ten-year-old a tour of the site each week, telling him all about the machinery, when it would be arriving, and what it would be doing, so he knew what would be happened.
At the end of the project, to reward his attention and focus on his lessons, the suppliers Fairfax Plant Hire organised a special 13-tonne digger to be brought to site so the child could see it up close, followed later by a tour of the machinery factory. This all contributes to ensuring children with special educational needs are given opportunities to pursue their passion and maximise their potential and career options.
The Results:
The project was delivered on time and within budget, giving the school extra opportunities to help students with SEND.
The project has created an extra 24 student places for pupils aged 11-16 with SEND, and helps the city ensure every student has access to the best educational opportunities.
Gavin Barley, General Manager, Esteem Hull:
“Since 2017, Esteem has been working with Hull City Council to improve facilities for children with SEND, and the Rising Stars project is the latest successful scheme to help address the shortfall in places. It’s really rewarding to see the difference new facilities can make to staff and students, and we’re looking forward to delivering even more projects to create additional places at the city’s schools later in the year.”