Luddenden SEND Facility

Mason Clark Associates bid was successful in winning the YORconsult contract for the redevelopment of Luddenden Youth Centre site to create a 16 place Special Education Needs facility SEND, which includes an external play area and footpath link to Wood Bank Special School. The new facility includes accessible doorways, dual height ironmongery, delayed action door closers, ramps, low level smart boards, mobility bays with charging points, a lift to the upper level, sensitive lighting, hoists in the classrooms and hygiene room and an accessible link path. Challenges during the project included dealing with issues that arose from the Covid 19 pandemic, a sloping site and significant adverse weather conditions.

Calderdale Council invested just under £1 million as part of its capital programme, to refurbish and remodel the former Luddenden Youth Centre, creating 24 additional places for special educational needs and disability (SEND) provision at Wood Bank Special School.

We worked closely with Jefferson Sheard Architects as our Lead Designer and Architect and LEDA our M&E Consultants through all RIBA stages. The proposal met the highest standard of accessibility and inclusivity, so that all potential users, regardless of disability, age or gender can use them safely and easily. The strategic educational needs of Calderdale Council were fully considered.

Despite complications with the project delivery due to COVID19 restrictions and difficulties of working throughout bad weather, the new facility was completed on schedule. This was achieved through a commitment by all team members working collaboratively to ensure the COVID19 pandemic and subsequent challenges it presented did not impact the programme. Each team member imputed into a comprehensive COVID19 action plan to ensure the appropriate measures were taken to mitigate issues such as collaborative working.

Calderdale Council’s Director for Children and Young People’s Service, Julie Jenkins said: “I’m delighted that this fantastic new facility is now being used by pupils at Wood Bank Special School. The new classrooms have been specifically designed for SEND pupils, with suitable access arrangements and the inclusion of the latest technology to better support teaching and subsequently enhance learning”.

Calderdale Council’s Director for Regeneration and Strategy, Shelagh O’Neill said: “Our major projects team has been working with appointed contractors to support the design and delivery of this 21^st Century Facility. The transformation was completed on time and on budget, despite the challenges of COVID. It’s great that we’ve now been able to handover the facility to Wood Bank to support additional SEND provision at the school”.