A major investment in specialist education is set to transform opportunities for hundreds of children and young people across East London after Galliford Try secured a £39m contract to deliver one of the largest SEND schools in the UK.
The contractor has been appointed by the London Borough of Havering to construct the new Balgores SEND School in Gidea Park following the successful completion of the project’s pre-construction phase. The main works contract has been awarded through a call-off from the Southern Construction Framework 5.
Designed to address increasing demand for specialist educational provision across the capital, the new facility will provide places for up to 300 pupils aged between four and 19 years old. The school will support children and young people with autistic spectrum disorder, severe learning difficulties, and social, emotional and mental health needs.
Spanning more than 6,000 square metres, the development is expected to become one of the largest specialist SEND schools in Britain. The project represents a significant commitment to enhancing educational infrastructure while helping local authorities meet growing demand for specialist school places.
The purpose-built campus has been designed to provide a modern, inclusive and supportive learning environment tailored to the needs of its students. Plans include 38 classrooms alongside a range of specialist facilities that will support both educational development and wellbeing.
Among the key features of the scheme will be a hydrotherapy pool, providing therapeutic support for pupils with a range of physical and developmental needs. The school will also include an enterprise hub aimed at developing practical skills and preparing students for future employment opportunities, as well as a dedicated performance space designed to encourage creativity, confidence and self-expression.
A café forms part of the proposals, creating opportunities for social interaction and vocational learning while also supporting engagement with the wider community. Several facilities within the development are intended to be made available for community use outside school hours, helping to maximise the value of the investment and strengthen links between the school and local residents.
The project extends beyond the building itself, with extensive external works designed to create a safe and accessible environment for pupils, staff and visitors. These works will include dedicated pupil drop-off facilities, staff parking areas, landscaped outdoor spaces, specialist play areas and a multi-use games area to encourage physical activity and recreation.
As demand for specialist education continues to rise across the UK, local authorities are increasingly investing in purpose-built facilities capable of providing tailored support for children and young people with complex educational needs. The Balgores SEND School project reflects this wider trend and will play an important role in ensuring more pupils can access high-quality specialist education closer to home.
For Galliford Try, the award further strengthens its presence within the education sector and adds another significant project to its growing portfolio of public sector developments. The company’s involvement from the pre-construction stage has helped shape the scheme and prepare it for delivery, ensuring the project can now move forward into the construction phase.
Once completed, the new Balgores SEND School will provide a modern, highly specialised learning environment capable of supporting hundreds of pupils for generations to come, while making a meaningful contribution to educational provision across East London.
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