Hailsham Reefway, The Ropemaker’s Academy

This award-winning project forms part of East Sussex County Council’s wider strategy for providing specialist teaching facilities across the county and is run as a free school by the Beckmead Trust. The new build three-storey school has spaces for 80 students aged 4 – 16 and caters for children with SEN and ASD and includes an outdoor games court and playgrounds, with internal primary and secondary teaching areas complemented by specialist therapy facilities.

Specialist teaching facilities, materials and colour pallets were chosen to provide variety and interest whilst avoiding over-stimulation for pupils.

The school is situated on a 2-hectare sloping field, which required significant regrading and drainage works due to the geology of the site. A detailed analysis of the site concluded that counterfort drainage was required to reduce groundwater and help slope stability. Careful consideration was also taken to minimise any potential impact on the sites existing ecology which included newts, bats and bird.

The school was the winner of the Constructing Excellence SECBE Awards 2021 – Outstanding Customer Satisfaction, and Winner of the Public and Community Award – Sussex Heritage Trust Awards 2021.

If we can be of any assistance to you on your Education projects then please email sidcup@playleandpartners.co.uk or speak directly to Partner Sarah Primarolo.