Polden Bower SEN School, Bridgwater

Project Description

SDS were appointed to produce a bespoke and holistic design for a new two-storey SEN school in Bridgewater. The £16M, 5,500m² building was to create 160 school places, bringing together pupils from two existing sites under one roof.

The school will include classrooms for both primary and secondary age pupils, a dining hall, sports hall, sensory therapy rooms, a life-skills cafe and warm water pool. The building will also house staff rooms, office, meeting and medical staff accommodation and will cater for pupils with a range of disabilities including profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD). Externally the school will include a sensory garden, multi-use games area and adventure playground.

The school, set to open in January 2021, represents a significant investment from Somerset County Council and seeks to expand and replace the existing Elmwood and Penrose School site.

Children, parents and teachers have been able to influence the design and the three-wing school will have a warm water pool for physiotherapy, a sports hall and fully accessible classrooms with latest teaching technology.