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Peaks Campus, Sheffield
CLIENT: SHEFFIELD COLLEGE | TYPE OF WORK: REFURBISHMENT | DATE: 2024 | SECTOR: EDUCATION
When Sheffield College wanted to create 300 extra places for young people with special educational needs and disabilities, they came to I&G to transform a campus building into a new specialist learning facility.
The solution
Peaks Campus was originally set to close following a drop in student numbers, but instead the college worked with Sheffield City Council to transform it into a specialist centre for 16-24 year olds from across the city who have special educational needs and disabilities.
The I&G team had only nine weeks to refurbish the three-storey building before the new term started and the students arrived.
Scroll across to see the works included.
Scroll across to see the works included.
Works included:
• Changing three science labs into independent living areas
• New reception area with reception desk
• Flooring to the new reception area and staircase
• Refurbishment of two toilet areas into gender neutral toilets and disabled toilets on each of the three floors
• Disabled toilet and shower with hoist on two floors, to match the existing on the ground floor
• New first aid room
• Four kitchenettes
• New ceilings to corridors on all three floors
• New decoration of corridors on all three floors
• Mechanical and electrical fit out for all areas refurbished over the three floors
• New reception area with reception desk
• Flooring to the new reception area and staircase
• Refurbishment of two toilet areas into gender neutral toilets and disabled toilets on each of the three floors
• Disabled toilet and shower with hoist on two floors, to match the existing on the ground floor
• New first aid room
• Four kitchenettes
• New ceilings to corridors on all three floors
• New decoration of corridors on all three floors
• Mechanical and electrical fit out for all areas refurbished over the three floors
Challenges
It was essential the nine week scheme was completed on time, as students were due to start the new academic year in the building in early September, and yet the work couldn’t start until teaching was finished in the building for the summer.
Additionally, a design change to three areas of the scheme after work had begun added three weeks to the programme. However, through accelerated hours and weekend working, the I&G team completed the work so the students were able to start their studies on time.
The results
The first cohort of 87 students started at Peaks Campus as planned in September, with facilities including two independent living suites where students can learn life skills, quiet spaces, a sensory room, an art room, a wellbeing space, wet rooms, a library and more. Once recruitment is phased in fully, the site will be able to provide 300 extra spaces for the city’s young people who need a high level of support.
Mason Shortland, 18, who is a student at the college, said: “This is a very welcoming place, which feels safe, and I hope that it will help more people. I am learning about work skills and trying to find out what I would like to do in future.”
“Thanks to your team who worked so hard to get us to the position achieved in September for the school reopening. Without your collective cooperation and proactive approach, we would not have got near to the outcome achieved, and we very much appreciated the ‘extra-mile’ commitment that several of your team showed.”