Kier has successfully completed Pinn River School, a new specialist school in Hillingdon, contributing to improved local capacity for pupils with a range of complex additional needs through high-quality, purpose-designed provision.
Funded by the Department for Education (DfE) and managed by the Eden Academy Trust, the new 180-place school, for students aged four to 19, will specialise in the educational needs of children and young adults with severe or profound learning difficulties, including pupils with autism and / or multi-sensory impairments (MSI).
Built on the former Grangewood School site, the new school will offer a wide range of learning spaces including classrooms, activity spaces, learning hubs, life skills rooms, and therapy provisions including rebound therapy and a hydro pool.
Located next to the separately managed Coteford Junior School, the project also required the separation and replacement of shared utilities and infrastructure, including the installation of a new substation serving both schools.
Susan Douglas, CEO, the Eden Academy Trust, said: “The opening of Pinn River School is a moment of real pride for our Trust and community. Seeing the first children arrive, welcomed by dedicated staff, brought our vision to life - a place where connection, belonging and trust sit at the heart of learning.
“The school meets a growing need for specialist provision in Hillingdon, enabling more children and young people with severe, profound and multiple learning difficulties to learn closer to home. This milestone reflects years of collaboration and commitment, and we are grateful to all colleagues and partners who made it possible, including Kier Construction for creating a space that truly reflects the needs of our pupils.
“More than a new building, Pinn River represents a shared commitment to providing the very best for children and families now and for generations to come.”
The school was delivered by expert teams from across Kier, including its in-house specialist mechanical and electrical team providing advisory support from tender stage through to commissioning. The Kier Design team also delivered multiple consultancy services - including structural engineering and site surveying - which enabled the compliant installation of the server rooms and supported the successful delivery of the project.
John Bolton, regional director, public, Kier Construction London & Thames Valley, said: “We are very proud to have partnered with the Department for Education and the Eden Academy Trust to deliver this vital new school in the London Borough of Hillingdon. The way our different specialist teams have worked together on this scheme is a great example of our 360 approach, with technical experts from across Kier coming together to improve learning outcomes at Pinn River School.
“The state-of-art school will provide its students with modern facilities designed to meet individual needs and will help to meet the increased demand for specialist education places in the borough and surrounding communities.”
While building the school, Kier supported the local community by procuring materials locally where possible, providing work placement, apprenticeship and T-Level opportunities, and engaging with local community groups and schools by offering work experience and site visits to showcase the roles available within construction.
After a protected species of bats was discovered roosting within the building earmarked for demolition, Kier advised the client and created a works programme and mitigation strategy which included replicating a roost for the bat colony in the adjacent school woodland.
Kier’s extensive experience of delivering facilities for pupils with complex additional needs also includes the new Carew Academy in Croydon, Clarendon School in Richmond and Spa School, a co-educational special school for students with autism in Camberwell.
