Trent View College

Trent View College is a beacon of sustainable and inclusive education. An exceptional and Passivhaus-standard education environment where SEND students can showcase their talents, and prepare for the transition into the wider world and adult life.

Schools and Colleges, HLM Architects, Trent View College, Education Architects

We now have this amazing new building and talented team in place to provide a nurturing space where our students can acquire vital life skills, engage in meaningful work and develop their routes toward independence. It will be life changing for them. As well as world-class facilities for our students, this new school will also be a fantastic resource available for use by the wider community.

Sarah Parker Principal, Trent View College

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This state-of-the-art co-educational school in north Lincolnshire caters for 60 post-16 pupils with special educational needs, including profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD), severe learning difficulties (SLD), speech language and cognition needs (SLCN) and autistic spectrum disorder (ASD).

Funded and delivered by the Department for Education (DfE) as part of the Free Schools Programme and operated by the Wellspring Trust, Trent View College stands as a testament to what can be achieved when sustainability, inclusivity, and educational excellence intersect.

In focus
Landscape

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The landscape design was carefully considered to meet the varied needs of the college students; we embraced external learning and provided a sustainable and stimulating setting.

We designed the landscape for students to engage with planting. Sensory, nature-rich and inclusive spaces support biodiversity and nurture education, connection, and calm.

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The CLT timber frame softens the aesthetic of the college, complementing the surrounding green spaces and planting.

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External spaces are designed for young adults to connect with nature.

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Creating a much-needed buffer from adjacent land uses, the landscape creates a calm and peaceful environment for the students.

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Sustainability

Designing to Passivhaus standards creates health and wellbeing benefits for the people who use SEND settings, by creating an internal environment that is both comfortable and stable with clean, regulated air.

Our Passivhaus design for Trent View College focuses on energy efficiency, thermal comfort and air quality, to minimise heat losses from the building and to reuse heat from solar and internal heat gains to reduce the environmental impact of the building.

Through engagement with our client and the DfE team, we’ve developed a Passivhaus design that meets the very specialist needs of students, staff and the local community.

Project data

One of the first SEND schools designed to Passivhaus standard
Innovative use of structural timber and cross-laminated timber (CLT)

Trent View College, HLM Architects, Schools and Colleges Architects, SEND Architects

Innovative offsite construction through CLT

Trent View College’s innovative use of structural timber and CLT reflected their commitment to Passivhaus standards and sustainable design.

Manufactured offsite, CLT provided airtightness, a high-performance thermal envelope, quicker build times, and low carbon impact.

Developed through a highly collaborative design process with our client and the DfE, the project ensures specialist needs are met within a resilient, future-focused environment.

The success of Trent View College is a testament to the impact of offsite construction.

DfMA / MMC

In focus
Interior design

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Our interior design strategy for Trent View College was to meet the needs of all pupils and staff by utilising colour and materials to provide appropriate visual and tactile stimuli.

We created an environment where pupils can learn safely and support the range of educational, therapeutic and medical needs of the pupils.

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Our design was rooted in a neutral base palette, enhanced with bold accent colours drawn from the College logo.

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Neutral tones ensure the environment isn't overly stimulating for students sensitive to strong colours and patterns.

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We chose natural materials to create warmth and feel welcoming, while recreating a real-world environment.

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Our interior design team embraced this challenging project with a thoughtful strategy that carefully balanced aesthetics, functionality, and sensory considerations, resulting in a learning space that truly embodies the spirit of Trent View College.

Andy Illingworth Head of Interior Design

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