Mary Elliot SEN School, Walsall Council
Mary Elliott SEN School
Mary Elliot School is a new replacement SEN school for Walsall Council. It was
procured through the Scape Framework with Willmott Dixon in September 2006. The
Scape Technology building system was used to ensure that the design was progressed
very quickly and the completion date of September 2008 was achieved.
It also means that the building surrounds an external play/learning resource
courtyard area and looks out to an unspoilt lake beyond.
The accommodation contains all the elements required for a 21st century secondary
school SEN facility with a large, multi-purpose hall, hydrotherapy pool, extensive
resource areas and specifically furnished teaching spaces. The large free spans provided by the Scape steel frame will allow the layout
to evolve as future requirements change.
Natural ventilation is used for the majority of spaces through the use of window
openings and passive ventilation chimney stacks. Extensive window areas (often
floor to ceiling) and rooflights provide high levels of natural daylight. Under
floor heating is provided throughout.
The building is two storey, with a horseshoe shaped plan which ensures efficiency
in terms of building area and circulation distances and gives the whole facility
a sense of unity.
A particular feature of the building, designed by students of the school, is
the panel of individually sculpted bricks adjacent to the main entrance.