Offsite construction specialist, The McAvoy Group, has started on site with the Cavendish School in Impington, Cambridge, providing much-needed local teaching facilities for children with autism.
80 pupils between the ages of 3 and 19 will attend the new 25,000 sq. ft. school, with 32 expected to attend in the opening year.
The Cavendish School will address a chronic lack of provision for pupils with special educational needs, so it’s important that it is operational as quickly as possible. Offsite construction will reduce the build timeline significantly, without having to compromise on quality or design.
McAvoy will build the individual modules in its factory, before craning them into place on site.
The school, which is expected to open within the 2021/22 academic year, will incorporate a range of new facilities, including teaching and multi-functional learning areas, calm and sensory rooms, a main hall and communal areas, along with an external horticultural room.
The school is designed to be sympathetic to the setting of the existing historic building and surrounding countryside, and incorporates natural materials such as Siberian Larch timber cladding and framing. The landscape strategy will draw on native species, encouraging wildlife and protecting the existing trees.
Martin O`Neill at The McAvoy Group, said: “We’re very pleased to be able to deliver this latest project on behalf of the DfE – it’s a well-designed building with distinct character and specialist facilities that will make a huge difference for hundreds of children.
“It’s great to get started on site, and we look forward to seeing the building take shape.”