Kent
Building Schools for the Future
& Academies Programme

Ifield School was funded by KCC as part of the Special School Review, with some funding coming from the Kent BSF Programme. The school is also benefitting from an ICT Managed Service provided by Northgate Managed Services, Kent's ICT Partner in the Kent Local Education Partnership 1.

As a result of the Special School Review, the school was redesignated from a Medium Learning Difficulties School (MLD) to a Profound, Severe & Complex Learning Needs (PSCN) School. Post-16 facilities are provided at the North West Kent college, Thameside campus, Denton. 

The scheme comprised new build, remodelling and refurbishment of an existing SEN school, including a new hydrotherapy pool and SMILE centre. The new building provides accommodation for 138 students with profound, severe and complex needs, and provides a bright and modern environment. Overall, the scheme makes a valuable contribution to the community, and raises standards in a deprived locality.

The school went through many design changes, from the competition to the signing-off of the agreed plans, with the aim between all the parties of finding a compromise between the Atkins model, the budget and the educational delivery of the school.

The Ifield School, Gravesend
	The build was project-managed by Property Group, Capital Projects' SEN team, who are currently completing the works following RJ Barwick Construction Services Ltd going into administration in August 2009.
Architect:
Awards:
	Best Refurbished School in England (British Council School Environment Awards 2009)
Commendations:	Civic Trust Mention in the 2009 Civic Trust Awards Shortlisted for the Kent Design Awards
Additional Information:	For an architectural summary of the project, please visit the Havistock Associates website.
Click on Gallery thumbnails to view in large scale Images copyright Dennis Gilbert/View

Gallery

Contact: bsf@kent.gov.uk | 01622 221172