Children who are permanently excluded or at risk of exclusion from mainstream schools in North Hertfordshire are a step closer to having a new purpose-built teaching centre following a groundbreaking celebration to mark the start of construction.
The ceremony, at North Herts Education Support Centre (NHESC), Briar Patch in Letchworth was hosted by Hitchin-based contractor Ashe Construction, and was attended by representatives of the Education Support Centre, Hertfordshire County Council, architect Saunders Boston and the project’s consultants.
Hertfordshire County Council is working in partnership with NHESC to provide a purpose-built replacement for its teaching centre at Briar Patch Lane and appointed Ashe to design and build the new facility.
Rated outstanding in all areas by Ofsted, NHESC provides an alternative education for excluded students, or students who are at risk of exclusion, with the aim of supporting a return to permanent full-time education. NHESC currently operates across two sites, Briar Patch in Letchworth and Bancroft in Hitchin. The expansion at Briar Patch will increase capacity from 33 to 40 pupils, allowing NHESC to operate from one purpose-built centre.
The new building will provide seven new classrooms and additional rooms for practical activities such as construction, science and food technology. There will be spaces for IT, a common room, fitness suite, administrative areas, and dedicated support spaces.
Ashe’s construction and technical director Daniel Armes explained: “It’s exciting to see work starting on site to provide an inspiring, well-designed learning environment. We are currently in our groundworks phase which also includes preparation for a new grass games pitch.
“In March we will start erecting the building structure and in April we will start work on the brickwork. All windows and curtain walling will be double glazed and the south facing windows will have solar shading to prevent overheating.
“Once watertight in June, the mechanical and electrical works will start, and we’ll be installing the floors and ceilings. Then we’ll undertake the fit out and decorate the new building ready for students to move into their brand-new, purpose-built facilities in November.”
The new building has been designed for energy efficiency with high levels of insulation, air source heat pumps, and LED lighting.
Dan Nearney, Executive Head at North Herts Education Support Centre, described the benefits the new building will provide. He said: “Both of the existing education support centres were not fit for purpose.
“This new facility at Briar Patch is designed for our children and will have a transformational effect on them. It will improve their life chances and help them towards their next steps whether it be college, university, an apprenticeship or returning to mainstream school.
“Following our recent Outstanding Ofsted report, just imagine what we can do with the new building! We will be able to support at least 40 children and become a community resource for 5–16-year-olds. We’ll be supporting the community better than ever before.
“Our new Centre will enable us to provide hot meals and sports facilities with an outdoor space for use in the summer. The first floor will accommodate Key Stage 3 and the ground floor will cater for Key Stage 4 – All designed for the curriculum, based on the young people’s needs.”
Shelley Hughes, Head of Centre at Briar Patch NHESC, added: “The new Centre will provide a learning environment that’s a quality space, where the children feel valued. It will be an environment they can be proud of and that opens opportunities for enrichment in a way that our old facilities just didn’t provide.”
“We didn’t have sports facilities or the ability to have afterschool clubs for specialist coaches. We can now provide enrichment and opportunities for a healthy lifestyle.
“We run as a school, and an educational environment to succeed. This will be a family resource space for outside agencies to use and where the whole child can be supported. The new Centre will also accommodate the increasing number of children in our area that need supporting.”
Cllr Mark Watkin, Executive Member for Education, SEND and Inclusion, Hertfordshire County Council, said:
“We are committed to ensuring that every child and young person in Hertfordshire has the opportunity to thrive and receive the support they need to fulfil their potential. The expansion of NHESC is a vital step in that journey—providing high-quality, alternative provision in an environment designed to inspire and empower. This investment reflects our dedication to building a sustainable, inclusive and thriving Hertfordshire.”
External works to improve the access road and traffic flow will take place during the summer holidays to avoid any disruption to the Centre’s operations.
The scheme has been designed by Saunders Boston, with Pellings as project manager and Gleeds as cost consultant. BCAL is the engineer and One Creative Environments is the mechanical and electrical consultant. Completion is scheduled for Autumn this year.
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