The project utilises 30 modules, which were craned into place over five days

A new secondary department is under development at Discovery Special Academy in Middlesbrough, utilising offsite construction methods to deliver the project quicker and with less onsite disruption.

The building, which is being delivered by Portakabin, will be home to 70 new secondary students aged 11-16 with special educational needs and disabilities and is an extension of the already-existing primary academy which opened in September 2018.

Since then, Discovery Special Academy has added nursery, and now secondary, to its provision.

With over 1.6 million pupils in England now registered as having special educational needs (SEN), the much-needed additional spaces being made available will support pupils’ educational, therapeutic, and medical needs in the Teesside area.

Currently, students are placed in temporary accommodation on the site of one of Discovery’s sister academies, and this new provision, designed and delivered by Portakabin, will allow all students, carers, and teaching staff of Discovery Special Academy primary and new additional secondary school to be located on one site.

Comprising eight dedicated SEND teaching classrooms and shared teaching spaces, the new academy building will also feature a music and drama room, art classrooms, and food tech rooms, as well as a hall and an area for sensory integration therapy.

Jennifer Duncan, executive head teacher at the academy, said:: “When we started this project with Portakabin, we were entering into a new world of construction and learning about modern methods of construction (MMC).

“We needed a company who could design and deliver a bespoke, high-quality building to serve the academic and therapeutic needs of our growing academy community in a tight timescale.

“The level of care, quality, and professionalism throughout has ensured that together, we are on track to deliver this complex project on time.

“Students will thrive in this new environment and staff will be able to continue to deliver excellence of provision for years to come.

“It will also continue to benefit the wider community, breaking down barriers and supporting the vision for a truly inclusive Tees Valley.”

Thanks to the entire school building being manufactured using Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), the custom-designed modules were precision built by Portakabin at its manufacturing facility in York and successfully transported in convoy and installed in Middlesbrough in June.

Over a five-day period, 30 modules were craned into place.

Jamie Blogg, contract sales manager at Portakabin, said: “It’s essential to us at Portakabin that we create a school that is not only attractive, but, more importantly, provides a flexible and safe environment that is welcoming not only to its pupils and staff, but also to parents, carers, and the wider Teesside community.

“It’s brilliant that the team here at Portakabin can be part of the Academy’s growth journey and we can’t wait to welcome the students and teachers to their new learning space later this year.”

Discovery Special Academy will also have new car parking provision for visitors and staff, alongside multiple minibus bays and a dedicated ambulance bay.

The single-storey modular building will be surrounded by an external courtyard and landscaped playing field and will link to the current primary school with a covered walkway.