SKILTS aka Lea Hall Academy, Birmingham

SKILTS SEN School is one of 27 Birmingham special schools. It caters for children with social, emotional and mental health needs who have an Education, Health and Care Plan, or EHCP.

The school was previously located in Gorcott Hill, Redditch, and was transporting children from Birmingham to Redditch before school, and then back to Birmingham at the end of the school day.

The site was the location of the old Hallmoor School building in Lea Hall, built and opened post-war in 1952 using a concrete frame and brick cladding. The school was demolished, and the new building will be located on this site, which is a £14 million purpose-built academy, and will cater for up to 140 Primary SEN children with a variety of learning and behavioural issues.

This relocation is more convenient for the pupils, as well as financially better for the local council, now that the school is back within the city boundary.

The new building consists of a single storey block, with a two storey wing, comprising of 22 mixed and specialist use classrooms, a large hall space, to be used for sports and assembly functions, with a catering kitchen and dining hall.

All spaces utilise LED lighting, and are heated by LPHW via a mixture of radiators, high level radiant panels, and LST radiators as required.

The building is generally ventilated by hybrid mechanical ventilation fan units, providing a mixture of natural and mechanical ventilation, with natural ventilation turrets in the hall area, and dedicated mechanical supply and extract ventilation to toilet and kitchen areas.

Staff and teaching spaces are fitted with data and small power outlets as required, with domestic water services to all sanitary and catering appliances.

Where there are vulnerable pupils, site security is of paramount importance. The site is protected at all gates with video entry and intercoms linked to the main reception desk, with CCTV protecting internal and external areas.

As we find that the world is evolving into a cleaner environment, a percentage of the school parking spaces are now equipped with Electric Vehicle Charging (EVC) points.

The project was completed in April 2021, for occupation in the new school year commencing Autumn 2021.