Danecourt School Expansion Given the Go-Ahead!

We are delighted to share that the new teaching block at Danecourt SEN School in Gillingham, Kent, has successfully achieved planning approval. The approved plans include a single-storey teaching block with three much-needed new classrooms. Danecourt is a small school for primary-aged children with special educational needs and is part of the Maritime Multi-Academy Trust.

Bailey Partnership has led the project on behalf of Medway Council, undertaking a multidisciplinary role encompassing architecture, M&E design, structural engineering, project management, and quantity surveying.

The school currently caters to a mixed cohort of pupils aged between 4 and 11, from Nursery to Year 6, with a capacity for 195 pupils. The proposed development will add a new three-classroom teaching block, increasing the school’s capacity by 30 primary-age pupils. Additionally, the expansion will include extra staff parking and landscaping.

Covering a footprint of 305 square metres, the new teaching block features a simple rectangular floor plan with a central main access point across one storey. The asymmetric pitched roof mimics some of the later building extensions on-site, blending seamlessly into the surroundings to avoid overpowering the landscape or the nearby main school building.
The teaching block will feature red brickwork, matching the existing buildings, with a soldier course and angled sill brick details around the window and door openings. Coloured cladding panels between the windows will add a modern touch to the design.

Project architect Ana Antunes commented: “This has been a great project to work on. The successful planning approval is a testament to the whole design team, client, and school who worked collaboratively to create a functional yet inspiring learning space. This will be a fantastic addition to the school, allowing them to increase pupil numbers and help meet the ever-increasing demands that Medway Council is facing.”

The expansion of Danecourt School marks a significant milestone in enhancing educational facilities for children with special educational needs in the area, providing a better learning environment and supporting the growing demand for such specialised education.