Castle School

Newbury, Berkshire

New Special Educational Needs (SEN) classroom building

THE PROJECT

The project involved the replacement of an outdated caretaker’s bungalow with a purpose built, single-storey teaching block designed to support pupils with diverse learning needs.

The new facility, with a Gross Internal Floor Area of 429m², was designed to achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating, reflecting high standards in sustainability, energy efficiency, and environmental performance.

The project encompassed a comprehensive range of construction activities, including:

Demolition and Site Preparation
Removal of a small outbuilding and the existing caretaker’s bungalow (completed under a separate workstream)

New Build Construction
• Sub-structure works to support the new building
• Construction of external walls with integrated windows and doors
• Internal partitions, frames, and doors
• High-quality wall, floor, and ceiling finishes
• Installation of fixtures, fittings, kitchen units, and both internal and external joinery
• Full mechanical and electrical services installation
• Builder’s Work in Connection (BWIC) to support service integration

Facilities Included
• Four fully equipped classrooms
• Dedicated equipment stores
• Group rooms for small group learning
• Assisted changing rooms and accessible WCs

Materials and Design
External finishes included brickwork, vertical timber cladding,
and a metal standing seam roof, chosen for durability and
aesthetic integration with the surrounding environment

External Works
• Landscaping to enhance outdoor learning and play areas
• Installation of additional car parking spaces to improve site accessibility
• Provision of service infrastructure to support future development

£2.2M

CONTRACT VALUE

43 WEEKS

CONTRACT DURATION

Customer

West Berkshire 

Council

Architect

Quattro Design 

Architects

Quantity Surveyor

Burke Hunter 

Adams LLP

Form of Contract

Single Stage

CHALLENGES & SOLUTIONS

Site Constraints

The project required careful coordination to manage the construction within a live school environment.

Sustainability Goals

Achieving a BREEAM Excellent rating demanded rigorous attention to energy performance, material selection, and construction practices.

Inclusive Design

The building was tailored to meet the needs of SEN pupils, with a focus on accessibility, sensory comfort, and flexible learning spaces.