Department for Education appoints Reds10 to deliver £20m state-of-the-art SEND school in Sutton

Reds10, a leader in industrialised construction, has been appointed by the Department for Education (DfE) to deliver Angel Hill School, a new, purpose-built school for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in Sutton, South London.

The £20m+ project will create a modern, inclusive education facility for 96 pupils aged 11-19, specialising in supporting young people with autism. The new school, designed by HLM Architects and delivered in partnership with Sutton Council and the Greenshaw Learning Trust, will provide a nurturing environment tailored to SEND students, helping to address the growing demand for specialist school places in the borough.

Construction will use Reds10’s advanced volumetric modular methods, with 85% of the building pre-manufactured offsite at Reds10’s advanced construction facility in Driffield, East Yorkshire, to ensure quality, consistency, and minimal disruption to the local community. Work is scheduled to begin on site in October 2025, with the school set to open its doors to pupils in September 2027.

The new 2,900 sq m facility will feature 12 classrooms, specialist therapy and quiet rooms, immersive therapy spaces, science, music, art and ICT-rich rooms, a food café, and accessible dining and hygiene facilities. Outdoor spaces will include a sensory garden, habitat area, forest skills zone and soft PE playing fields, with secure perimeter fencing and dedicated parking for staff, visitors, and minibuses.

Sustainability is at the heart of the project, with the school designed to achieve Net Zero Carbon for operational energy. Features include a bio-solar roof with PV panels and a green roof, air source heat pumps, hybrid ventilation, and a high Urban Greening Factor. Eight electric vehicle charging spaces will be provided, supporting the borough’s climate ambitions.

Joe Shepherd, Director & Education Sector Lead at Reds10, said:

“In partnership with the DfE, we are proud to be delivering this innovative SEND school in Sutton. Our advanced modular construction techniques will provide a high-quality, sustainable environment where neurodiverse pupils can thrive. This project represents a vital investment in specialist education, and we’re excited to help create a space where every child is supported to reach their full potential.”

Jason Gregory, Director of Growth and Development at Greenshaw Learning Trust, commented:

“The Greenshaw Learning Trust is delighted to be working in close partnership with the DfE, Sutton Council, and Reds10 to deliver Angel Hill School. This project reflects our collective ambition to expand access to high-quality, specialist education and to create learning environments where every young person can thrive. Angel Hill will stand as a testament to the power of collaboration in meeting the needs of our communities and ensuring that all pupils have the opportunity to fulfil their potential.”

Gary Herbert, Project Director, Department for Education, said:

"The DfE is looking forward to delivering the Angel Hill School in partnership with Reds10 and The Greenshaw Learning Trust in Sutton. This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with SEND or in Alternative Provision receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life. We are committed to improving inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools, and ensuring special schools cater to those with the most complex needs, restoring parents’ trust that their child will get the support they need. Angel Hill will provide the specialist support to pupils that need it.”