Every Detail Counts: The Transformation of Our AP Centre for Primary SEND Pupils

uGroup
Oct 30
2 min read

Our recent Open Day on October 15th celebrated the official launch of the uReach Alternative Provision Centre. This wasn't just a construction project; it was an intense, nine-month labour of love to transform a disused office space into a dedicated, therapeutic space for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Every installation, every coat of calming paint, and every safety feature reflects our commitment to the children of Wokingham, Reading, Bracknell & beyond. We are so proud of this journey, and we want to share the timeline and the meticulous detail that went into creating this truly bespoke alternative provision provider site.

The Journey

The vision for this specialist centre was fueled by a deep understanding of the local need for off site alternative provision. We ultimately came across Hatch Farm where we instantly saw the potential for a much-needed primary school AP centre.

The Transformation

Every single detail of this renovation was driven by our commitment to safeguarding, sensory needs, and creating a therapeutic environment for primary-aged children with SEND.

Safety, Tech & Suitability: Trust is Paramount

Establishing trust begins with a safe building. We focused on security and sensory accessibility in our alternative provision centre design:

A Calm Environment: We replaced all old, buzzing fluorescent lighting with modern, LED units. This eliminates the visual oppressiveness and flicker, making the environment much more suitable for individuals with sensory sensitivities—a key feature of quality alternative provision centre design.
Safeguarding as Standard: We implemented a high-security, Access Control System with a two-stage visitor screening process, ensuring the safety of every child who enters our doors. Our Internal CCTV system is a major safeguarding priority, providing continuous security.
Quiet and Safe Movement: We installed soft-close door mechanisms and full-length finger guards on all doors. This small detail creates a quieter, safer environment, demonstrating our dedication to the small things that matter most.

Therapeutic Spaces

We carefully designed spaces to meet the diverse needs of our pupils:

Focus Zone: This space was painted a calming green and repurposed into a distraction-free area. This zone is vital for helping young people undertake concentrated, Purpose Driven Learning aligned directly with their EHCP goals.
Activity Zone & Sensory Room: A key addition to our AP offerings was converting a redundant data room into our dedicated Sensory Room. This essential space supports regulation and therapeutic work while the wider Activity Zone, with new flooring, encourages Creative Expression and Physical Wellness, ensuring learning is holistic and fun.
Calm Zone: The Retreat: The most heartfelt transformation created the Calm Zone, a dedicated, low-stimulus sanctuary. Outfitted with soft furnishings and regulation resources, it's a safe place where individuals can retreat, process overwhelming emotions, and use chosen coping strategies to regain focus and calm. Even the climate control system was updated to ensure optimal comfort, as consistent temperature is crucial for self-regulation.

This finished primary school alternative provision centre stands ready to serve the most vulnerable pupils across the Wokingham, Reading, and Bracknell region and beyond. We are so excited to realise the full potential of this vital off site alternative provision resource for every child.