Henry Boot Construction celebrates completing work on a new SEN learning centre in Leeds, creating facilities and places for 120 more pupils
Henry Boot Construction has completed work on a new £9m Special Education Needs or SEN learning centre in Leeds on Buckingham Road in Headingley.
Located in the Ford House building on Buckingham Road, the venue is to be known as Headingley Learning Centre and is the third SEN campus of West Oaks School.
Established in 1977, the Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ SEN school also has campuses located in Woodhouse and Boston Spa and delivers accessible learning environments for 500 pupils aged between 2 and 19.
The project included modernising and restoring a Grade II listed manor house
Purchased by Leeds City Council in 2020, Ford House is an 1850s Grade II Listed manor house set within leafy grounds.
Leeds City Council partnered with West Oaks School and Henry Boot Construction to complete the necessary work to transform the facility into a contemporary SEN campus.
The modernisation of the 2,800 sqm building, which included new heating systems and insulation throughout, had to be carefully balanced with the restoration of the building’s attractive heritage features.
All lime plastered walls, roof tiles, woodwork, sash windows, staircases and ceiling cornicing had to be reviewed and then carefully repaired or replaced – utilising the exact materials and construction methodology defined in the Listed status.
The building’s two striking tower turrets, located approximately 50 metres from ground level, were removed via crane lift and then refurbished and recoated off-site by a specialist heritage contractor.
Outdoor facilites are a key feature of the new SEN learning centre in Leeds
Having started the project back in November 2021, Yorkshire-based Henry Boot Construction completed phase one of the work in time for the start of the school year in September, before completing the final phase of work earlier this month. Both the construction firm West Oaks School worked closely with Leeds Local Education Partnership to deliver this project.
The new campus is now home to around 120 West Oaks pupils, who have access to the very latest therapeutic and training services. The new facility includes high-quality classrooms, curriculum-focused outside play areas, a multi-use games area, interactive activity zones and exhibition space.
A ‘morning mile’ activity path was also created around the site perimeter, providing an important outdoor walking and running track for the pupils.
Delivering much needed SEN provision to Leeds
Andrew Hodkinson, principal of West Oaks School, said: “We strive for excellence. We are proud to be an outstanding Leeds-based SEN provider and are excited by our new campus in Headingley. We are looking forward to the academic year ahead and integrating with the local community over the coming months and years.
“Headingley Learning Centre is an exceptional facility. I would like to thank all the teams involved in supporting us with the challenging project. Due to this further expansion, West Oaks in now one of the largest SEN schools in Europe, with 500 pupils and 240 staff across our three sites.”
Henry Boot Construction director, Craig Finn, said: “We are delighted to have successfully handed over Headingley Learning Centre to West Oaks School. Given the tight programme, it was a real team effort to get the campus in a position to welcome students for the new school year.
“All our projects are rewarding and contribute to the communities in which they are located. However, working on a development that delivers such valuable support to young people in Yorkshire is something that the team is incredibly proud of.”
