North Somerset Council’s £18m expansion of Baytree Specialist School in Clevedon doubled the school's capacity from 72 to 120 pupils while meeting the various needs of its students, with features such as integral hoists for children with limited mobility, sensory rooms, single-storey access for those unable to use stairs, and outdoor space.
We worked closely with the customer to provide innovative approaches to engage students with special educational needs in understanding their new learning environment. We also supported the wider community by creating opportunities for people living in the area around the site.
Sensory workshops break down barriers
Working alongside Baytree’s teaching staff, the social value team from Willmott Dixon developed a series of bespoke sensory workshops that brought construction to life for pupils who couldn't visit the live building site. Our creative approach shows how by treating young people with special educational needs as active participants, we've established new standards for inclusive social value delivery.
The 'Digging Up' workshop was designed to bring the construction site experience into the classroom for Baytree’s learners. Our team collaborated with teachers to create sensory boards using real construction materials like mud, hardcore, and concrete. Learners explored textures, watched 3D films of machinery in action, and participated in activities like simulating ground strata using gravel and clay.
“Baytree learners (and staff) had a fantastic day working together with the Team from Willmott Dixon. The activities were well suited to our learners and helped them to explore the new build effectively.”
— Matt Hazelwood, Baytree Teacher
The 'Building Up' workshop brought innovative sensory experiences that helped 73 students experience the construction of their new school campus by bringing the sights, sounds and feel of the build right into their classroom.
Working with supply chain partners including Topfix, Rockwool and Central Cladding, the team explored concepts of soundproofing and waterproofing by demonstrating how rain sounds on roofing with and without insulation, using metal sheeting, rice and chickpeas to simulate different weather conditions.
Students at Baytree also got to try on different types of PPE worn on site.
"The activities were well suited to our learners and helped them to explore the new build effectively. The warm and friendly attitude of the team helped them to form some fantastic working relationships with our learners."
– Matt Hazelwood, Baytree Assistant Headteacher
To help the pupils to make the transition into their new school, the 'Going In' workshop explored internal build elements such as lighting, windows, fixtures and flooring textures and made use of virtual reality to enable all to explore.
In the final celebratory 'Joining Up' event, each class built a bug hotel using natural materials like hay, pinecones, and bamboo. These were installed in the school gardens, creating a lasting educational resource.
Over 50 students participated in the sessions, which were adapted to suit all mobility levels, including delivery from wheelchairs and beds.
Our sensory workshop approach has been recognised as ground-breaking in construction education for pupils with SEND, with requests from other schools and organisations to replicate the model.
“All of the learners at Baytree have been involved throughout the journey, through sensory immersive experiences led by Willmott Dixon and the school council played an important role in decisions around the finish of the building, helping to choose the paint colours for the classrooms.”
Ed Bowen-Roberts - Headteacher at Baytree
Creating opportunities for the community
Working with other local schools, the educational pathway extended to T Level students, apprentices, and work experience placements.
Reece, a T Level student who took part in a work experience placement on the Baytree site said:
“I loved the experience as it was an incredible eye opener to life on the construction site."
The commitment to create opportunities for local people extended far beyond the classroom, generating substantial employment opportunities within the local community:
- 20 new jobs created including 2 ex-military personnel, 3 NEET individuals, 2 unemployed people, and 5 new entrants to construction
- 66% of jobs filled by people from North Somerset postcodes
- 68 weeks of work experience provided to local students
- 92 training weeks delivered across the project
"I was so nervous coming to site for the first time. That's something I've really struggled with and I think has held me back. Sam and the Willmott Dixon team were amazing with me. They helped me to relax and made me feel like part of the team from day one."
– Chantelle, Kickstart participant
