HRH the Duke of Gloucester officially opened the inspiring new Special Educational Needs School in Stoke-on-Trent. The Duke met the staff, students and those involved in the design of the school -including our own project architect Sam Worrall - and unveiled a plaque to mark the occasion.

The Duke then took a grand tour of the new facilities. The £11.5 million school, part of the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme, has been designed to accommodate 140 students with complex cognitive needs for children aged three to 19.

The 5,900 sq m facility incorporates a variety of stimulating and sensory learning environments, including soft play rooms, a physiotherapy gym and a warm hydrotherapy pool which can be used by the local community.

Key design features also include a large open-plan foyer, 22 self-contained classrooms, specialist teaching areas, multi-functional hall, interview room, café, training room, and an external sensory adventure playground.

The aim of the build was to promote inclusion, achievement, flexibility and creativity, with all pupils receiving specialist teaching and an individual education programme designed to meet their specific needs.

Everyone who visits our school is really impressed by the atmosphere, quality of materials and attention to design detail. Those who work and play here love it. The project is a life changing experience for us all at Kemball, and it has been a pleasure working with CPMG.  - Elizabeth Spooner, Head teacher