SEND Spaces for Schools
Helping schools meet the growing need for SEND facilities
Schools in England are supporting a growing number of pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
More than 1 in 5 pupils in England now need SEND support: that’s 1.7 million children
One in three pupils with an EHC plan have autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). There has been a 10% increase in SEND pupils with ASD in the past year.
Pupils with SEND, particularly autism, often struggle to study in traditional classroom settings.
Obviously, professional support from experienced teachers helps. However, SEND pupils also need a physical environment that reduces stress and improves concentration to thrive.
Designing inclusive SEND spaces
Vertis specialises in designing and building SEND spaces that support pupils with complex physical and cognitive conditions, particularly autism. We start by listening to teachers, support staff, and leadership teams. It is important for us to understand how you’ll use the space.
Our designs can serve various purposes: whole-class teaching, small-group learning, quiet breakout areas, or specialist sensory rooms. Every SEND building we create offers an inclusive, practical, and attractive environment for pupils and staff alike.
Design principles for an effective SEN building
Our expert designers and builders are creative problem solvers who prioritise:
Space and layout: flexible configurations and partitions for multi-use areas
Calm environments: acoustic insulation to reduce noise and distractions
Good lighting: large windows to let in natural light, which supports focus and wellbeing
Quiet areas: for small-group or one-to-one work
Accessibility: step-free access, adapted toilets, and disability-friendly washrooms
Outdoor access: connecting children to sensory gardens and green spaces
Sensory design: appropriate colour schemes, lighting, and climate control for comfort.
By considering every detail, we create SEND spaces that benefit the whole school community.
Modular or bespoke – flexible SEN building designs for every school
You can choose from our versatile range of modular buildings or commission a fully bespoke build.
Our practical modular approach makes our classrooms:
Quick to install, with off-site construction of key elements, minimising disruption to school life
Flexible in configuration, making it easier to fit new facilities into school grounds
More affordable to build and maintain than traditional structures
Durable and sustainable, with energy-efficiency as standard (e.g. insulation and LED lighting)
Ideal for aspirational schools on tight timescales and tight budgets.
We can also custom design SEND buildings when unique site constraints demand a specific layout.
Why choose Vertis?
Whilst you might think you need to appoint an architect, there are very few architect practices that are truly specialist in designing school spaces.
Vertis are both school and SEN building specialists; we understand the needs of schools and SEND students.
Free preliminary design
For every project we provide a free preliminary design and budget at the outset, saving you fees of £5-15k for a similar service from architects.
That’s why schools choose Vertis. Our design expertise can save you time and money.
Our experience includes designing and building:
SEN intervention rooms
Entirely new SEN classrooms
Our designers adhere to Department for Education guidelines (Bulletin BB104) for building positive learning environments. This is essential if you are applying for funding to create SEND spaces.
Creating suitable facilities for SEND pupils
Many schools struggle to accommodate SEND specific classrooms in existing buildings. Our modular designs enable you to:
Add dedicated on-site SEND facilities that are separate to your main buildings
Create calm spaces away from noisy lunch halls or corridors
Open outdoor classrooms to blend nature with learning
Help SEND pupils learn and grow in safe, supportive surroundings.
Our SEND building experience
SEND Spaces for Schools: Northill CE Academy
We are transforming this lower school into a full primary school, with SEND facilities. Work includes turning an office into a small-group room and building a multi-use hall, for assemblies, performances, PE lessons, and lunches. A new kitchen will allow the school to prepare healthy meals on site.
SEND Spaces for Schools: Sutton Primary SEND facilities
We have upgraded and refurbished this Bedfordshire school’s learning environment over the last five-years. It involved reconfiguring space to accommodate an additional Key Stage 2 class. We also added two new classrooms, a school hall, a SEN intervention room, and a multi-use games area.
SEND Spaces for Schools: Weatherfield Academy SEND classrooms
All students at this Bedfordshire school have EHC plans. They need more support with cognition and learning than they would get in mainstream education. Vertis worked with the school to create practical and aesthetically pleasing classrooms that meet the specific needs of these SEND pupils.
Partner with Vertis
Vertis specialises in designing and building classrooms with SEND in mind – and that teachers and students love.
Find out more about our school projects and what it's like working with us.
If you’d like to discuss new SEND spaces for your school, please get in touch.