In Surrey, a forward-thinking collaboration between Surrey County Council and modular eco-building specialist TG Escapes demonstrates how modern methods of construction (MMC) can provide affordable, high-specification inclusion bases at rapid pace.
Completed in just 35 weeks, The Aquinas Centre, surrounding landscaping and civil works at St John the Baptist School in Woking represents a £3.6m investment under Surrey County Council’s Inclusion and Additional Needs Partnership Strategy 2023–2026.
The facility provides a dedicated inclusion base designed to create 30 new places for children and young people with SEND, ASD and SEMH needs.
SEAMLESS INTEGRATION
The Department for Education defines an inclusion base as a dedicated space in a mainstream school offering specialist teaching or targeted support.
“This is not about creating a separate experience for our students, but a more inclusive one,” explains Anna Dwyer, Deputy Head at St John the Baptist School. “Young people accessing The Aquinas Centre will remain full members of our school community, learning alongside their peers while benefiting from tailored support when needed.”
The 512m² facility is built upon TG Escapes’ proprietary Inclusive Learning Hub concept. It houses three classrooms, specialist therapy and sensory rooms, a dedicated teaching kitchen for practical life skills and calm breakout spaces. The layout is intentionally clear, legible and calm, helping pupils navigate the space with confidence. Every design decision, from zoning to circulation, supports self-regulation, independence and clarity, creating an environment where pupils can focus on learning rather than managing sensory overload.
Karl Stokes, Managing Director at TG Escapes, says: “The Aquinas Centre is an example of our Inclusive Learning Hub concept in action, designed to integrate SEND provision seamlessly into a mainstream school setting. Sustainable, purpose-built facilities like these reduce barriers to education and help foster genuinely inclusive learning environments where students with special educational needs can thrive alongside their peers.”
TURNKEY DELIVERY AND SUSTAINABILITY
Delivered on a live school site with minimal disruption, the project extended well beyond the building envelope. As turnkey contractor, TG Escapes executed a comprehensive civil and infrastructure package, including new highways access, an access road, EV-ready parking, storm drainage, utility connections, safeguarding fencing, a biodiverse rain garden managing surface water along the access road, and play areas with sensory surfaces, seating and social space.
Environmental performance is central to the design. Built to be carbon-neutral for regulated energy, the timber-frame building features solar PV arrays, air source heat pumps and heat recovery ventilation, aligning directly with Surrey’s carbon-reduction commitments.
Natalie Bramhall, Cabinet Member for Property, Infrastructure and Waste at Surrey CC, says: “This project demonstrates how innovative, sustainable construction can help us deliver high-quality facilities quickly and efficiently for Surrey residents.”
A MULTI-SITE PROGRAMME
The Aquinas Centre represents one of four major education projects TG Escapes have delivered for Surrey County Council. Other completed schemes include The Liz Kyriacou Building at Woking High School (£1.4m), a purpose-built autism unit at Stepgates Community School (£1.5m), and a specialist SEND inclusion base at St Matthew’s CofE Primary School (£1.3m).
tgescapes.co.uk/education