Mayesbrook SEND Resource Base - The Rectory
Dagenham
Number of Students:
70Project Value:
£2.3MWeeks on site:
4Project Overview
Known internally as the 'Rectory', this project involved the careful refurbishment of a listed building alongside the construction of a new gym and corridor extension. But more than bricks and mortar, the focus was always on creating a space where young people with complex needs can feel safe, supported, and understood.
We collaborated closely with the architect SixFoot Studio, the contractor Auburn Group, and Barking and Dagenham Council to bring this vision to life.
The Brief
Mayesbrook is a vital community resource, supporting families across the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. The brief was to create a space that nurtures emotional regulation, independence, and family connection. Every space in the building was thoughtfully designed, from therapy rooms to breakout areas, to support both the young people and the staff members who work with them.
The school wanted to avoid a typical SEND environment, creating spaces that are quiet, peaceful, and purposeful, where students with complex needs can feel safe and understood. Spaces were designed for tuition, therapy, art, sensory exploration, food technology, and physical movement, providing opportunities for growth, engagement, and wellbeing.
What We Did
We co-designed all the FF&E spaces, which included:
- One-to-One Tuition Rooms - These rooms featured movable tables and chairs in muted, soft tones, creating flexible, calming spaces for individual tuition. Each room encourages focused learning while being comfortable and approachable for students with complex needs.
- Waiting Space - The reception and central areas feature modular curved seating and circular poufs, maintaining the same muted colour palette to maintain a calm and welcoming environment to enable family interaction in a safe, supported setting.
- Specialist Sensory Space - This space was designed to be immersive and therapeutic. We installed interactive wall panels and fibre-optic features to stimulate the senses. Padded flooring printed with the alphabet supports sensory integration and physical development, while a bubble tube provides calming visual, auditory, and tactile feedback to help regulate emotions and reduce anxiety.
- Physical Movement Area - To support flexible physical activity, we specified and provided a mobile basketball hoop, giving students the freedom to engage in exercise safely within the space.
Careful Consideration of FF&E - All furniture, fixtures, equipment, colours, and finishes were carefully selected to complement the sensitive architectural design, ensuring the new elements respect the character of the listed building while creating functional, supportive spaces.
The Result
The completed spaces exceeded expectations. Calm, thoughtful, and engaging, the environment supports the students’ learning and wellbeing while being a pleasant space for staff and visitors alike.
The school loved the outcome, and the campus now stands ready to welcome its first cohort, fulfilling its mission as a safe, supportive, and inspiring place for young people with complex needs.
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