We’re delighted to share that the Department for Education (DfE) has appointed HLM Architects as part of Reds10 team to deliver Angel Hill School – a new, purpose-built facility for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in Sutton, South London.
HLM Architects design new £20m Angel Hill SEND School
This exciting £20m-plus project will create a modern, inclusive learning environment for 96 pupils aged 11–19, specialising in supporting young people with autism. Working closely with Sutton Council and the Greenshaw Learning Trust, our team of SEND school architects has created a design that places the needs of every learner at its heart – providing a nurturing, adaptable setting that promotes wellbeing, confidence, and a sense of belonging.
Construction will use Reds10’s advanced modular methods, with around 85% of the building pre-manufactured offsite. This approach helps ensure quality, consistency, and faster delivery, while keeping disruption to the local community to a minimum.
The new 2,900 sq m facility, meticulously detailed by our SEND school architects, will include 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. Thoughtfully designed outdoor spaces – including a sensory garden, habitat area, and forest skills zone – will encourage exploration, connection with nature, and hands-on learning.
Sustainability is central to the design
Angel Hill School will be Net Zero Carbon in operation, featuring 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 points will also support Sutton’s wider climate ambitions.
Claire Wakelin, Director and Head of Education at HLM Architects, said:
We’re thrilled to be appointed by the DfE to design Angel Hill School in Sutton. As specialist SEND school architects, our goal is to create a warm, inclusive environment where every child feels supported and able to thrive. We have designed a learning environment that can adapt to individual student and staff needs, helping young people with SEND flourish both academically and personally.”
Joe Shepherd, Director & Education Sector Lead at Reds10, added:
“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 the 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. By collaborating with expert SEND school architects, 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 at the Department for Education, added:
““The DfE is looking forward to delivering the Angel Hill School in partnership with Reds10, our appointed SEND school architects, 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. Angel Hill will provide the specialist support pupils need, helping to ensure that every child can access the education they deserve.”
Work is due to begin on site in October 2025, with the school welcoming its first pupils in September 2027.
