Hopescourt school secures planning approval
HNW Architects are thrilled to share the news that our design for a new SEN school in Walton-on-Thames, has been granted planning permission from Surrey County Council.
Located within the Metropolitan Green Belt, Hopescourt School will address the pressing need for specialised teaching accommodation for some 200 pupils diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, from reception through to post age 16.
Located within the Metropolitan Green Belt, Hopescourt School will address the pressing need for specialised teaching accommodation for some 200 pupils diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, from reception through to post age 16.
The comprehensive proposals include new sports pitches, a multi-use games area, extensive landscaping and dedicated habitat areas. The two-storey school will provide a range of specialised classrooms, support spaces, staff facilities, PE and dining halls, a library and fitness suite.
The design has been sensitively developed in close consultation with the school and wider specialists. Despite being sited within the Metropolitan Green Belt, the team demonstrated ‘Very Special Circumstances’ in response to the identified need for this specialised education.
The design has been sensitively developed in close consultation with the school and wider specialists. Despite being sited within the Metropolitan Green Belt, the team demonstrated ‘Very Special Circumstances’ in response to the identified need for this specialised education.
Our community is in desperate need of a local school that can meet the needs of local children with additional needs and disabilities
Alex Burrows, Hopescourt School Headteacher
Some autistic children require highly specialised, autistic-specific, teaching and learning opportunities to manage their extreme anxiety and also their co-occurring mental health need in order to achieve their full potential. And it's my vision that Hopescourt will provide this for this local community and those children with high level unmet needs
Alex Burrows, Hopescourt School Headteacher
There is an acute shortage of schools for autistic children...and the situation I would describe as critical. Many children in Elmbridge are at home receiving little or no education
Alex Burrows, Hopescourt School Headteacher
We are excited to continue our collaboration with Willmott Dixon as the project advances with a start on site in the new year, with the anticipation of welcoming the first pupils in September 2024.
November 2023