A new specialist school for pupils with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs has completed in Shepshed, Leicestershire, offering facilities for students aged 4-16.

Bowman Academy, which is situated on the former site of St Botolph’s Primary School, located to the east of Shepshed in Loughborough Road, will see pupils benefit from a range of facilities to suit their needs.

This includes classroom suites with vinyl areas to support practical learning; a sensory ‘dark room’; practical teaching spaces including a domestic kitchen, a library, a calming room; and a main hall with a demountable stage.

The new-build SEND school was designed sympathetically to meet the needs of SEMH learning and has space for 64 pupils, with facilities for 16 primary-aged children across two ground-floor classrooms, with the remaining 48 secondary-aged pupils split across two ground-floor classrooms and a further four rooms on the first floor.

The first floor also has an additional three classrooms for practical uses.

Pick Everard provided architectural services for main contractor, Bowmer + Kirkland, for the project, which was procured by the Department for Education (DfE) under the Modern Methods of Construction (MMC1) framework.

Joe West, an associate at Pick Everard, said: “Working on SEND schools is always a privilege, with unique design applications and special consideration for the needs of a diverse range of learning.

“Creating an environment that is both functional and comfortable for pupils was central to the aims of the project, which should, in turn, aid the school in attracting and retaining students in the area.

“The construction technique employed on this project was a fully-offsite solution, so thorough sequencing and planning was paramount to ensure all materials were delivered safely and successfully, as well as meeting the highest standards.

“We’re delighted to have worked alongside Bowmer + Kirkland once again to deliver this fantastic academy for pupils in the area with SEMH needs.”

Driving sustainability initiatives, Bowman Academy’s design included a ‘fabric-first’ approach, which reduces the energy requirements of the building through measures including high levels of insulation, heat recovery and air tightness.

High-efficiency boilers have been installed, which will be run by the Community Inclusive Trust (CIT), as well as LED lighting, with occupancy and daylight controls for resource management.

The building also has glare control and sustainable natural ventilation, providing a low-energy cost solution.

Additionally, the site includes a photovoltaic panel array, providing a 10% energy consumption offset from renewable technology.

Steve Waldron, Bowmer + Kirkland contracts manager, said: “We have been working for the DfE since 2013 and are proud of the 73 schools we have completed, but specialist schools are unique in the enormous difference they make to the pupils and their families.

“We are delighted to continue our relationship with Pick Everard to deliver another fantastic facility which will improve the lives of so many young people.”

Councillor Deborah Taylor, cabinet member for children and families at Leicestershire County Council, added: “It is exciting to see the school completed and we’re looking forward to it opening and welcoming new pupils for the new term.

“The building of Bowman Academy part of a wider programme to ensure provision is available to children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities in Leicestershire, as close to their homes as possible.

“This includes both the building of special schools and creating provision in mainstream schools.”