Silverwood NetZero SEND School

Our team of education experts worked with Wiltshire Council to redevelop Silverwood School into one of the country's biggest SEND schools, catering for 350 pupils in primary, secondary and post-16.

It is also one of the first in a new generation of Net Zero in operation schools in the country.

The inclusive learning environment is tailored for students with the following needs:

• moderate learning difficulty (MLD)
• severe learning difficulty (SLD)
• autistic spectrum disorder (ASD)
• profound and multiple learning difficulty (PMLD)
• physical disabilities and sensory impairments (PD)

Procured via the SCF framework, this is a ‘school within a school’, with a community of small teaching clusters that will provide a range of specialist teaching spaces, therapeutic support, and quiet dining. Each cluster will be designed to offer plenty of space to move around while maximising natural daylighting and ventilation to create an airy feel.

The facilities are further supported by a hydrotherapy pool, a new all-weather sport pitch and new playing fields.

Over 1,000 solar panels on the roof help ensure renewable energy is the main source of power

The 1000+ panels installed as part of this project will generate green electricity to power the school, with any surplus energy fed back into the local grid, benefiting the wider community. To achieve net zero carbon in operation, the buildings also utilise biomass boilers.

Biodiversity net gain

Greenery is incorporated throughout. We delivered extensive ecological enhancements, including improved natural grassland to increase the foraging resource for bats and other species, while hedgerows will be increased by more than 200% as part of an overall biodiversity net gain of 14%.

Speaking about the school, Cllr Jane Davies Cabinet Member for SEND said:

“This is an important milestone in ensuring we have enough places to create a first class education for our SEND pupils. Our carefully thought out plans show how we will be mindful of the environment and rich nature on the site and feedback from our school community and wider communities.

Sean McKeown, headteacher, said:

“Our school community across all three campuses have been involved in shaping these excellent facilities which will make a real difference to all our pupils and help meet a real need for additional spaces for the future.”

Read our 'Building for All' whitepaper here.