Modular Learning Hub for New Rush Hall School

Project Description

Modular Learning Hub for New Rush Hall School – 3 Bay 12M x 3M

Client Details

New Rush Hall School (NRHS) is a specialist school for pupils aged 5 to 16 years who have social, emotional and/or mental health difficulties (SEMH) as their primary area of need.

NRHS is located within the London Borough of Redbridge, but welcomes pupils that attend from a range of neighbouring boroughs including, Barking & Dagenham, Essex, Enfield, Havering, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest.

The school has 80 pupils (28 Primary & 52 Secondary) who are supported by a team of over 65 staff, including Senior Leaders, Pastoral Leads, Curriculum Co-ordinator, Therapists, Mentors, Specialist Teachers, Instructors and Support Assistants.

The staff team takes pride in providing a high-quality, personalised, inclusive and inspiring education to all pupils. Running parallel to their academic offer is a programme of wrap-around pastoral care which ensures their pupils’ emotional, social, and mental health needs are fully met.

Overview

NRHS had previously acquired space from GCS which was a facility to house breakout and 1:1 therapy rooms. This had proved perfect for their purpose but increasing pupil numbers required further facilities. GCS were commissioned to create further space and worked with the school to ensure they made best use of the room available and designed a unit that included Offices, a Library, 1:1 rooms, along with a communal area and disabled toilet.

Key Issues

There were a number of issues faced by the client which included a tight budget, difficult access to the site along with the obvious challenges posed by construction work in a school environment. The construction of the modules also needed to be robust both internally and externally to accommodate the sometimes-challenging nature of the children. Finally, there was a need for urgent installation to provide the space for the growing number of children.

What GCS Did

GCS took note of the requirements and key issues identified by the school and were able to provide all of the demanding specification and overcome all of the potential difficulties by working closely with the school. GCS delivered a full turnkey package including groundworks, services, and connections which took away all the responsibility from the school, managing the project from point of enquiry through to final handover of the keys.

The modular units were delivered and installed over a weekend to avoid disruption and finished on time and on budget in time for the critical exam period.

Summary

The school now have 2 brand new fantastic modular buildings housing 1 to 1 therapy rooms with 1 to 1 offices, toilets and meeting room .

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“We have used GCS Cabins for 2 modular buildings and are in the process of commissioning/installing a third. We needed additional space to provide therapy rooms and break out spaces for our pupils, in order to enhance their wellbeing, and the spaces created by GCS Cabins have enabled us to do that. The 3rd modular building which is currently in progress with provide us with a Creative and Fitness Hub, which will incorporate a gym, boxing facilities and recording studio. This latest hub will provide additional opportunities to our pupils and access to facilities that they would not normally have. The positive impact of these spaces on our pupil’s fitness and mental health will be of huge benefit, whilst encouraging creativity and developing talents. GCS Cabins have been involved with the design and production from the start of this Hub and the previous hubs. Their expertise and knowledge in the field has been of great value and has helped us to design spaces that are fit for purpose. They have been flexible and supportive and enabled us to fulfil our vision. Their communication is excellent, and they have gone above and beyond in terms of trying to meet our needs whilst remaining hugely competitive and cost effective.”

Roy Dennison – Business Manager.

Image shows a library in a modular school building