Kier has been appointed by Hertfordshire County Council as construction partner to deliver a new purpose-built satellite provision of Amwell View school in Buntingford.
The new Amwell View satellite provision will create 100 dedicated places for pupils aged 11 to 19 with severe learning difficulties, helping to meet increasing need for specialist education places across Hertfordshire.
Procured through the Major Works framework which is managed by Pagabo, the 3,263m2 single-storey school will be built on a 1.34ha greenfield site and will operate as an extension of Amwell View School based in Stanstead Abbotts.
Designed to support older pupils with severe learning difficulties, including some pupils with profound and multiple learning difficulties, the new facility will provide accessible, inclusive and purpose-built learning environments tailored to students’ individual needs.
This week, to mark the start of construction, the first spades hit the ground at a groundbreaking event. The milestone was marked with a speech from Councillor Mark Watkin, Cabinet Member for Education, SEND and Inclusion at Hertfordshire County Council. Representatives from Hertfordshire County Council, the school, Odyssey Projects Limited and Kier attended the event to celebrate the start of works.
Chris Lilley, managing director for Kier Construction Eastern & Midlands, said:
We are proud to be working with Hertfordshire County Council to deliver this much-needed specialist provision for Buntingford and the wider county. The new Amwell View satellite provision will provide high-quality, accessible learning spaces that support pupils with complex needs, while creating an environment where students and staff can thrive. Our team brings extensive experience in delivering education projects and inclusive learning environments, and we look forward to working collaboratively with the council, the school and local stakeholders to deliver this important addition to Hertfordshire's specialist education provision.
The school has been designed to support students’ wellbeing, independence and accessibility. A single-storey teaching block will support ease of movement across the site, while specialist spaces and outdoor learning areas will help create a stimulating environment that promotes social, emotional and educational development.
Once complete, the school will employ around 65 full-time staff and will include a new car park with 63 parking bays and 15 electric vehicle charging points.
Cllr Mark Watkin, Executive Member for Education, SEND & Inclusion, Hertfordshire County Council, said:
The new Amwell View satellite provision will play an important role in increasing local specialist school places for children and young people with severe learning difficulties. We want all children in Hertfordshire to get the support they need, when they need it, to access their education in a school close to their home and we are committed to investing in education in Hertfordshire to make this a reality.
Neil Ward, headteacher, Amwell View School said:
We are incredibly excited about the development of our new Amwell View School site in Buntingford. This will be our fourth school site and our second largest in terms of pupil numbers. The site represents an important next step in the growth of Amwell View and, most importantly, in increasing high-quality specialist provision for children and young people with severe learning difficulties and disabilities across Hertfordshire. Our ambition for Buntingford is much greater than simply creating a new building. We want to create an exceptional learning community in which every young person is recognised as an individual and supported to develop the skills, confidence, independence and communication they need to fulfil their potential and prepare for adulthood. For many of our pupils, school is an incredibly important part of their lives. It is a place where they can feel safe and understood, develop relationships, communicate their choices and preferences, and access specialist teaching, therapies, facilities and experiences that enable them to flourish. We will continue to ensure that every pupil is supported to achieve across the curriculum while developing personally, socially and emotionally, equipping them with the skills and confidence to lead fulfilling lives.
David Llewellyn, Construction and Infrastructure Director at Pagabo, said:
The appointment of Kier through the Major Works Framework marks an important step in delivering much-needed specialist education provision for Hertfordshire. This project demonstrates the value of collaborative procurement in bringing forward high-quality, inclusive facilities that meet the needs of local communities. We are delighted to support Hertfordshire County Council in creating a purpose-built learning environment that will help pupils with learning difficulties access the specialist education, support and opportunities they deserve closer to home.
The appointment builds on Kier’s long-standing track record in the education sector, where it has delivered hundreds of modern, sustainable and inclusive learning environments across the UK.
Learn more about how Kier is delivering projects and outcomes in this sector: