Sector: Education

Overcoming funding challenges to provide for the SEN community
Advisory services, Construction, Education

Refurbishing 3 SEN schools in Liverpool

Partner: Liverpool City Council
Project value: £19m total project value
Completion: September 2023

Clear Futures and Liverpool Council have worked in partnership to refurbish SEN schools at pace to provide modern learning spaces for young people with special educational needs.

Challenge: maintaining essential SEN education

In 2023, it was identified that Liverpool’s SEN schools were in urgent need of refurbishment, with a shortfall in places available in the City. The Council faced a significant funding challenge if education for these children couldn’t be provided within the city by September 2023.

Fast tracking delivery of SEN schools for 2023

Clear Futures worked with the council’s education team to prioritise immediate needs and fast track the delivery of three SEN education projects.

At Millstead School, Clear Futures’ Tier 1 supply chain partner, Seddon Construction was quickly appointed, thanks to the Clear Futures strategic partnership that was already in place, to cost-effectively design and install temporary modular units to accommodate 40 extra pupils in September 2023, while fully redeveloping an existing mothballed building for a future intake of 72 pupils.

Image of interior of refurbished special educational needs school in Liverpool with toys and play items

Palmerston School has also been refurbished by Seddon to provide an initial 40 places for 14-to-19-year-olds, while a full redevelopment to accommodate a total of 60 pupils in the future, is carried out. Bank View South School, on the site of the former Parklands School has been refurbished by Robertson Construction to provide 60 places for 11-to-16-year-olds. Further works are planned to fully redevelop the school and accommodate 60 more places per year for a total capacity of 300 pupils

140
SEN school places
3
SEN schools refurbished
£25-30m
funding risk avoided

Outcome: major funding risk avoided

Delivering these three key projects means that SEN education and care is provided for children close to their homes, once phase 2 is complete.

As a result, we have mitigated a potential risk of financial penalties and cost for the travel, specialist teachers and carers and other expenses to provide education for these children outside of the city boundaries, that would have been Liverpool City Council’s responsibility.

Considered analysis and financial projections, in consultation with the council, calculated that £25-30m has been saved by providing these SEN places in Liverpool, compared with the cost of educating 110 SEN pupils for 5 years outwith the Borough, that would have been Liverpool City Council’s responsibility. 

Long-term social impact

Clear Futures develops partnerships with purpose, focusing on long-term outcomes that drive real change in a community. As part of this, we have made a commitment to provide a one-to-one mentoring programme to change the lives of teenage girls who need support.

In addition, we provided targeted activities and support in the local area, with a focus on developing the careers of young people in Liverpool, including:

£5,950
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
266 hours
EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS
98 weeks
WORK EXPERIENCE & APPRENTICESHIPS

Our strategic partnership with Liverpool

Clear Futures and Liverpool City Council began working together to deliver education projects at pace to provide modern learning spaces for local young people. As our partnership develops, we will explore opportunities to drive net zero action and provide strategic support to the Council to support local key priorities.

Learn more about our partnership
Liverpool City Council logo in partnership with Clear Futures
Building capacity at Ladybridge High School through sustainable development
Construction, Education

Ladybridge High School extension

Partner: Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council
Project value: £4.5m
Completion: 2020

The £4.5m expansion of the Ladybridge High School gives the school capacity to take on an additional 150 pupils and is one of the borough’s secondary schools redeveloping buildings to meet the rising demand for school places.

Instead of constructing a new building, the extension was delivered by reusing an existing and under-utilised building on site. The works have improved the fabric of the building, structural issues and upgraded electrics – bringing economies of scale and savings to the Council, and creating a vibrant environment for teaching and learning.

Driving economic, social and environmental benefits

During the project the Clear Futures team worked with Ladybridge High School and community organisations to maximise the reach and impact of social value activities, with outcomes including:

£842,571
in social value
99.28%
waste diverted from landfill
32
apprenticeship weeks

“The site demonstrates continuous improvement, particularly in relation to collaborative working with the school, supporting the community and H&S which were exceptional. Respecting the community is judged as exceptional. The site is projecting the scheme’s core objectives, promoting local opportunities and the offer of support to individuals and community groups.

– Considerate Constructors Report, January2020

  • 20 local people employed.
  • 3 weeks of work placements for local young people.
  • 40 hours of career activities for high school students.
  • 960 car miles saved through sustainable transport.
  • 112 hours of mental health training for employees and workforce.
  • Donated excess site materials to the school farm and helped pupils build animal shelters and animal exercise equipment.
  • Helped students make Christmas trees out of old pallets that were sold, with all profits donated to Bolton Hospice.