Pupils at Cliffdale Primary Academy in Hilsea now have access to upgraded learning spaces, including a specialist sensory room designed to support children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
The school has expanded with new classrooms and enhanced outdoor spaces, providing more opportunities for engagement, learning, and play.
To bring this vision to life, the council’s Capital Projects Service—comprising architects, landscape architects, engineers, project managers, and construction inspectors—collaborated with Vale Southern Construction Ltd. Together, they delivered two extensions that include additional classrooms, staff facilities, smaller teaching spaces, and a specialist sensory room. These new spaces are designed to support students with SEND, offering environments that are both calming and conducive to learning.
Attention to detail was a priority in the design. The architects incorporated unique triangular patterns into the brickwork of the new classrooms, symbolizing the neurodiversity within the school and the wider community. Each triangle features a distinct design, reinforcing the idea that every individual is unique.
Outdoor spaces play a vital role at Cliffdale, fostering both development and well-being. Each classroom now has a dedicated outdoor area, providing a tranquil environment to support learning. Additionally, a revitalized nature area enhances the existing wildlife habitat, with newly planted trees and hedges encouraging biodiversity.
Sustainability was also a key consideration. The new building is designed to minimize energy consumption, featuring solar panels to generate electricity and an advanced drainage system to alleviate pressure on the local sewer network during heavy rainfall. Beneath the ground, large water storage crates—capable of holding 30,000 liters (equivalent to approximately 375 bathtubs of water)—help manage rainwater, gradually releasing it at a controlled rate.
These improvements not only enhance the school’s facilities but also create a more inclusive, engaging, and environmentally responsible learning environment.
Councillor Nick Dorrington, Cabinet Member for Children Families and Education said: “It’s wonderful to see the incredible efforts of our in-house capital projects team, along with contractors, in supporting schools that aid and nurture our young people with SEND. This collaborative initiative has resulted in improved spaces for young individuals at Cliffdale Primary Academy, providing essential environments for those who need it most.”
Appeal after man assaulted near Balcombe
Witness appeal following Brighton assault
Surfer, rescuers praised in Bracklesham Bay
Emsworth pub bids to get safety upgrades
Pandemic memorial in Crawley
Revitalising public spaces in West Sussex
Ukrainian writer travels to University of Chichester
Update: Fire in Oving
Consortium to tackle inactivity in Portsmouth
Rolls Royce in Chichester annual profit forecast nearly £3B
On Air