Previous experience and how we’ll manage the building stage - proposed changes to Ivel Valley School

Any new buildings at Ivel Valley will follow the Department for Education’s BB104 guidance. This sets out best practice for:

• classroom sizes
• specialist spaces
• accessibility
• outdoor areas

We’ll also work closely with the school and consider:

• how to minimise disruption during construction
• how to phase works so pupils can stay on site
• how to use modern methods of construction
• how to ensure safety, including noise and asbestos removal

We’ve already delivered similar projects at other schools, including Weatherfield and Chiltern School, using these approaches.

Weatherfield School

In 2024 we delivered a classroom unit. Constructed using modern methods of construction the school were very happy with the end result. The Council worked with the school to deliver this during term time and holidays.

Chiltern School

The following improvements have been made:

• roof replacement of whole main block
• fire door replacement
• car park
• ventilation to toilets
• upgraded ventilation to modular buildings
• large scale improvement work to Block B (cowshed)
• installation of water heaters
• asbestos removal within campus car park
• internal reconfiguration – hygiene room

These were successfully delivered – including any construction time – during a mixture of term time and summer holidays. We worked closely with the school leadership team to minimise disruption to their day-to-day running of the school.

Over the years, we have delivered multiple projects at the Ivel Valley site, including the installation of a single classroom, additional dining space, and 2 modular classroom buildings, including toilets, breakout spaces, sensory spaces and staff areas.

Ivel Valley pupils

All pupils at Ivel Valley School and College have significant learning needs. Most have severe or profound and multiple learning difficulties. Many also have conditions such as autism or Down’s syndrome, alongside a significant learning need.

The school uses a specialist approach to teaching. Each classroom has an attached outdoor learning space, similar to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) model. These spaces are an essential part of how pupils learn. We recognise that careful consideration will need to be given to the work being completed to not interfere with the outside learning spaces and ensure that as much displaced space as possible will be re-provided in the initial phase while works are underway.

Some pupils have sensory needs and may be affected by noise or vibrations from construction. For example, piling work could cause discomfort due to reverberations. Pupils may also become distracted by construction equipment such as diggers or cranes. This could affect their ability to focus and engage in learning.

Many children at the school use behaviour to communicate, especially if they find it hard to express themselves in other ways. It’s important that we prepare pupils for the work in advance, to reduce anxiety and avoid behaviours that could affect their learning.

Some pupils use specialist mobility equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers or rollators. All surfaces must be smooth and even to make sure pupils can move around the site safely.

By following the Department for Education’s BB104 guidance, planning and building control requirements and through close engagement with the school we will ensure that the needs of pupils are fully considered.

On-site construction considerations (applies to options 1a, 1b and 2)

There will be consideration of works to take place during school holidays to avoid disruption. Where construction takes place in school term time, there will be careful attention to noise management, so children do not have to experience general noise unnecessarily with the completed build. The consultants have carefully considered the disruption to external spaces in options 1a, 1b and 2 and ensured that as much displaced space as possible will be re-provided in the initial phase of construction, while works are underway. If space is confined, there may be some compromises during the construction period.

Asbestos has been identified in the existing building, and this would be fully removed in accordance with Health and Safety Executive regulations and guidance.

There will be consideration of 2.4m solid fencing around the construction.

We will be looking for contractors who can demonstrate experience in delivering similar sensitive projects in a ‘live site’ and have successfully overcome issues such as noisy works. We won’t move to the buying process for building works without a detailed understanding of the construction considerations from the school to ensure they are explained to bidders.

There will be consideration of modern methods of construction, including offsite construction.

Frequent updates from the contractor to school on what works are to take place will enable two-way understanding and discussion to minimise disruption.

School specific requirements would be explored with the school in the next stage of design. For example, if there is any operational impact on dining / sports - noting there is a sports and multi-use space proposed as part of the new build in this option.

Road, traffic and parking considerations

A roads and traffic specialist has looked at the number of parking spaces and drop-off area required to ensure that any proposal taken forward improves the overall parking drop-off, allowing sufficient space for staff to park and for the forecast increase in pupils being dropped off and collected each day.

We are aware of the right of way and will look to find an acceptable solution that balances people’s rights of access and the need to ensure children are safeguarded. More detailed designs, site logistics, vehicle movements and temporary fencing would be considered in the next stage of design, which will come after this public consultation.