Oxlow Bridge SEND School

To fully understand the cohort’s needs, project requirements and the intended space usage we undertook a ‘day in the life’ with Sue Hewitt the Executive Head at Beacon Hill.

We also worked closely with the school, architect (3BM) and contractor (Willmott Dixon) to develop a solution tailored to both pupils and staff.

We designed and supplied FF&E across all internal spaces, including:

- 16 purpose-designed classrooms for the PMLD cohort
- Specialist teaching spaces for art, music, food and life skills
- Group rooms, offices and breakout areas
- A main hall and hydrotherapy pool.
- Multiple sensory and therapy rooms.
- A fully electric catering kitchen, including cookline and extract systems

Specialist and Sensory Design
A standout element of the project was the four bespoke sensory spaces, each designed to support different sensory needs :

- Sensory soft play areas.
- Light and dark rooms for visual stimulation and calming.
- An immersive room with an interactive projection for the floor and ceiling.

We also designed and delivered a rebound therapy trampoline, set flush into the floor, improving accessibility for pupils with limited mobility while reducing the risk of injury.

The hydrotherapy pool was enhanced with integrated audiovisual features, creating a calming, multi-sensory environment that supports both therapy and relaxation.

A Thoughtful, Inclusive Approach
Classroom design focused on flexibility and accessibility. We specified specialist furniture such as manual height-adjustable tables with flip tops, allowing them to be easily reconfigured or nested to maximise space. This ensures classrooms can comfortably accommodate large mobility aids, such as Acheeva beds and powered wheelchairs.