School’s Out, Hard Hats on for United Infrastructure at Borough Primary Schools

The summer school holidays are well and truly underway, with days out planned, ice creams consumed and school uniforms folded away until September. It is a time when you might expect school corridors to fall silent, but at Brackenbury Primary School and Wormholt Park Primary School in Hammersmith & Fulham, steel-toe-capped boots have temporarily replaced school shoes walking the halls.

United Infrastructure has begun a significant 14-week refurbishment programme at the two schools. The project will transform previous mainstream classrooms and educational spaces into a new Specialist Inclusion Base. The developments will establish new Special Educational Needs (SEN) teaching spaces, associated access routes and supporting facilities, creating an inclusive and enriching environment designed to help local children learn, develop and thrive. The creation of the new spaces has been funded by the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham.

Schools are placing an increasing focus on creating inclusive learning environments that support the wellbeing and individual needs of every pupil. For some children with Special Educational Needs, traditional classrooms can feel overwhelming or make it difficult to engage. Sensory spaces can provide a calmer, more adaptable environment that supports learning, communication and emotional regulation.

Sensory classrooms are designed to respond to a child’s needs through a combination of interactive equipment, sensory-stimulating features and calming elements such as light walls, bubble lamps and tactile boards. They can be used for lessons and group activities, as well as sensory breaks and one-to-one support, giving pupils greater flexibility to learn, communicate and explore in a way that feels accessible and enjoyable.

The investment at Brackenbury and Wormholt Park will include bespoke sensory and DMX lighting systems, specialist acoustic ceilings and wall treatments, accessible wet room and WC adaptations, safety flooring and protective padding. United Infrastructure will also undertake internal remodelling to create new teaching and breakout spaces, alongside the installation of access control and door-entry systems and upgrades to electrical, fire alarm and wider mechanical and electrical services.

David Collins, Executive Head Teacher at Brackenbury Primary School, commented:

“We are delighted the LBHF have funded the creation of a new specialist inclusion base at Brackenbury, this represents a significant investment in the future of children with additional needs in Hammersmith & Fulham. Every child deserves an environment where they feel safe, understood and able to thrive, and these new facilities will provide high-quality spaces designed specifically to support learning, communication and wellbeing.

“This project reflects our commitment to ensuring that every child has access to the right provision to meet their needs while remaining part of their local community. We are grateful to LBHF and United Infrastructure for working closely with us to bring this vision to life and look forward to welcoming pupils into these new learning environments later this year.”

Anika Hargie, Head Teacher at Wormholt Park Primary School, commented:

“We are incredibly pleased that the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham has invested in the development of ‘The Valley’ at Wormholt Park Primary School. This exciting project demonstrates a shared commitment to ensuring that children with additional needs can access outstanding support and high-quality education within their local community.

“At Wormholt Park Primary School, we believe every child should feel valued, included and empowered to achieve their full potential. The purpose-built facilities within The Valley have been carefully designed to provide calm, nurturing and engaging learning environments that support children’s communication, wellbeing, independence and academic development.

“We would like to thank the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham and United Infrastructure for their partnership, expertise and support throughout this project. We are excited to open the doors of The Valley and welcome pupils into a space where they can flourish, develop confidence and enjoy every opportunity to succeed.”

Ricci Whiteside, Operations Manager at United Infrastructure, commented:

“This 14-week refurbishment programme across two schools in Hammersmith & Fulham is a powerful example of how the work we deliver can make a real difference to local communities. These new specialist spaces will support pupils’ learning, wellbeing and independence, while providing school staff with high-quality environments designed around the needs of the children who will use them every day.

“Across United Infrastructure, our work ranges from improving social housing and delivering net zero retrofit programmes to creating safer, more inclusive public buildings. We are proud to be expanding our work within the education sector and look forward to seeing the positive impact these new facilities will have on pupils, staff and families.”

United Infrastructure delivers regeneration, maintenance and property services that help make homes, buildings and communities safer, more sustainable and better suited to the needs of the people who use them. Its teams deliver major programmes for social housing providers and other public-sector clients and have recently expanded their work within schools across the country.

With extensive experience of delivering projects in occupied and sensitive environments, United Infrastructure carefully plans its work to minimise disruption. Its operational teams also work closely with community and social value specialists to ensure projects deliver meaningful and lasting benefits beyond the physical improvements.

The work at Brackenbury Primary School and Wormholt Park Primary School is a reminder that inclusive spaces can make a significant difference to the lives of children and their families across the borough. Once the work is complete, United Infrastructure will leave behind more than new lighting, flooring and plaster. It will deliver a welcoming and adaptable environment where pupils can feel supported, participate fully and reach their potential.