The challenge faced by Surrey is a familiar one: a rising demand for specialist SEND places that far outstrips existing capacity. This critical shortfall was resulting in a growing number of students being placed in out-of-area independent provisions. This model not only disrupted continuity of care and support but also meant that some of the most vulnerable learners were being educated far from their local communities.

In collaboration with Surrey’s Education Department, an ambitious SEND and Alternative Provision Capital Programme was launched in 2021. Backed by a £260m investment, the programme aims to create 2,400 new, high-quality SEND and AP places by strategically expanding provision within both specialist and mainstream schools across the county.

A key pillar of Surrey's success has been the adoption of a blended estates strategy. While a significant number of new places (945) have been created through the refurbishment and extension of existing school buildings, the council has strategically embraced MMC for a large portion of its new-build projects totalling 702 places. This approach has been critical in accelerating delivery and overcoming the challenges often associated with construction on live school sites.

Modular and panelised systems have proven particularly effective for developing specialist SEND hubs within mainstream settings. This "Specialist Resourced Provision" model allows students with specific needs to access a broad curriculum and social opportunities in a mainstream environment, while still receiving targeted support in a purpose-built facility.

The council partnered with modular timber frame specialist TG Escapes, (Education Modular Provider of the Year 2025), to deliver four bespoke projects, which demonstrate how MMC can deliver highly specialised, permanent, quality buildings that foster inclusive and supportive learning environments.

At Woking High School, ‘The Liz Kyriacou Building’ provides a dedicated unit for visually impaired students. The design prioritised superior acoustics, exceeding BB93 SEN, standards to ensure speech clarity and low ambient noise which is a critical requirement for learners who rely heavily on their hearing.

For Stepgates Community School, a facility was created to support primary pupils with complex social and communication needs. The panelised construction method employed by TG Escapes was instrumental in navigating the site's constrained access.

The building at St Matthew's CofE Primary School allows the school to expand its outstanding SEND provision to younger pupils, and provides a classroom, sensory room, calming room, and an external sensory play area.

An Inclusive Learning Hub for St John the Baptist School, currently under construction, will provide classrooms and breakout spaces to support multi-disciplinary teams in a biodiverse landscape, fostering a calming learning environment.

This focus on wellbeing and sustainability is a hallmark of the programme. The new facilities provided by TG Escapes are all designed to be net-zero in operation, aligning with the council’s ‘Greener Futures’ strategy and ensuring long-term running costs are minimised. The biophilic design principles, connecting pupils to nature, have been shown to reduce anxiety and enhance educational outcomes.

Surrey County Council's pragmatic and flexible approach demonstrates that by combining the creative use of existing assets with the speed and quality of modern construction methods, local authorities can effectively, efficiently and rapidly address the growing demand for SEND provision. The programme is not just delivering buildings; it is fostering genuine inclusion in mainstream settings, creating better outcomes for students, and delivering long-term value for the entire community.

Euan Leslie says “Delivery of a programme at this scale has been very challenging, requiring a wide range of technical solutions to suit the various development opportunities. Surrey has taken advantage of the benefits of modular and MMC as part of a flexible approach, to which TG Escapes have made a valuable contribution, with regard to suitability, sustainability, quality and efficiency of installation.”

For more information and case studies, visit www.tgescapes.co.uk, call 0800 917 7726 or email info@tgescapes.co.uk.