Building Capacity and Community

Twenty new special schools have been established nationally in the past five years. Seventeen of these schools are under the patronage of the Local Education and Training Boards (ETBs). These new schools have been delivered at pace through adaptable re-use of existing buildings, co-location and optimising school capacity. This session explores how these schools come to fruition; quickly, economically and to high standards that meet the need of the students. Close collaboration between a dedicated DEY SEN Reconfiguration team, the NCSE, local stakeholders and experienced building professionals unlock solutions that are targeted and inclusive. Through case studies and end user feedback, we will discuss the challenges and opportunities, lessons learned and replicable ideas that could be implemented in any existing school to promote inclusion. Sensory input, physical structures, sounds, smells, furniture, all join dots , a collaboration of sensory experience. To look from the inside out, to explore divergent thinking, what can offer security or what may cause overwhelment. We can evolve together when we learn together to create a classroom.