Liverpool contractor finishes £468k SEND facility at Knowsley school 2026

• Liverpool-based Marshall Construction has completed a £468,000 specialist refurbishment at Knowsley Central School in Huyton, creating new soft-play, sensory and accessible facilities for pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
• The project converted previously vacant and underused accommodation into a modern, fully accessible facility, funded through the High Needs Provision Capital Allocation and the council’s School Condition Allocation Grant.
• Completed in time for the new school term in September 2026, the development includes a sea-themed soft-play frame with a slide, climbing elements and ball pit, along with a flexible sensory space with multi-functional lighting.
• Accessibility improvements include widened circulation corridors, a new access ramp and a specialist changing facility with a height-adjustable changing bed and accessible toilet provision.
• Council leaders Cllr Jayne Lonergan and Cllr Sean Donnelly praised the project as a priority for expanding and modernising SEND provision across Knowsley.
• Head teacher Daryl McConnell highlighted the project’s positive impact on pupils and families.

Key Points

Liverpool (Liverpool standard) August 24, 2026 – A Liverpool contractor has completed a £468,000 specialist refurbishment at Knowsley Central School, delivering new soft-play, sensory and accessible facilities designed to support pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The scheme, carried out by Marshall Construction, transformed previously vacant and underused accommodation into a modern, fully accessible environment that meets diverse educational and therapeutic needs. The works were finished in time for pupils returning to school in September 2026, ensuring the space could be used from the start of the new term.

How was the £468,000 SEND project funded and delivered?

The project was funded through the High Needs Provision Capital Allocation and the council’s School Condition Allocation Grant, according to local reporting. As reported by Marshall Construction in a project showcase shared on LinkedIn, the £468,000 specialist refurbishment was delivered for uk/local/liverpool-council/knowsley-council/">Knowsley Council and required careful planning, detailed coordination and close collaboration with Knowsley Council, Knowsley Central School and specialist supply-chain partners. The contractor said the works included structural alterations and complete internal refurbishment alongside mechanical, electrical, roofing and external improvement works.

What specialist facilities are included in the new SEND space?

A key feature of the development is a purpose-built soft play area incorporating a bespoke sea-themed play frame, as outlined by Knowsley News. The installation includes a slide, climbing elements and a ball pit, providing opportunities for physical activity, sensory development and structured play within a controlled and secure environment. The space has also been equipped with multi-functional lighting systems to create flexible sensory experiences that can be adapted to suit individual user requirements.

To provide further flexibility, a movable partition wall has been installed, enabling the space to be configured either as a combined play environment or separated to provide a dedicated sensory room. This flexibility allows staff to tailor the accommodation to support a variety of learning, behavioural and sensory needs. Marshall Construction’s project summary also lists a flexible sensory space with specialist lighting among the completed elements.

How has accessibility been improved for pupils and staff?

Ensuring the space is fully accessible was a key priority throughout the project, with works including the creation of a widened circulation corridor to facilitate pupils with significant mobility requirements, including wheelchair users. External access has been improved through the installation of an access ramp. The refurbishment also includes a specialist changing facility equipped with a height-adjustable changing bed and accessible toilet provision. Marshall Construction’s project description similarly highlights accessible changing and toilet facilities and improved circulation and ramped access as part of the completed works.

What have council leaders and the head teacher said about the project?

Cllr Jayne Lonergan, Cabinet Member for Resources at Knowsley Council, said:

“A key priority for us is to ensure that there are more school places for children and young people with Special Education Needs and Disabilities, but also that they have enriching modern learning environments too. This is a great addition to Knowsley Central School and I’m sure that the pupils will enjoy their new space.”

Cllr Sean Donnelly, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said:

“It’s really important that our children and young people get the best start in life and their education journey plays a key role in shaping their future. Providing modern learning facilities that will support our children and young people to learn, develop and thrive is a key priority for us. I was delighted to visit Knowsley Central School and take a look around the new play and sensory area which is now ready to welcome pupils.”

Daryl McConnell, Head Teacher at Knowsley Central School, said: “I’m delighted with the outcome of this project, as it will significantly enhance our specialist provision for pupils. I’d like to thank Knowsley Council, particularly its officers and councillors, whose vision, support and commitment have helped make this outstanding new facility a reality. This investment will have a lasting positive impact for children and families across the borough, ensuring more pupils can access the specialist support they need in a modern, inclusive and adaptable environment. I’m really looking forward to welcoming pupils back to school in September and seeing the difference this fantastic new facility will make, both now and into the future.”

Background to the SEND development at Knowsley Central School

The development forms part of wider efforts by Knowsley Council to expand and modernise SEND provision across the borough, with council leaders citing the need for more school places and enriching modern learning environments for children and young people with special educational needs. Funding was drawn from the High Needs Provision Capital Allocation and the council’s School Condition Allocation Grant, reflecting the capital investment channelled into improving school conditions and high-needs capacity. The project repurposed previously vacant and underused accommodation at the Huyton-based school, aligning with the council’s stated aim of ensuring pupils have access to safe, engaging and adaptable environments that support both educational and therapeutic activities.

Prediction: How will this development affect pupils, families and local SEND provision?

The completion of the £468,000 SEND facility is likely to increase the functional capacity of Knowsley Central School to support pupils with complex needs, particularly by offering a dedicated, adaptable environment for sensory regulation, physical activity and structured play. For pupils, the sea-themed soft play frame, specialist lighting and flexible partitioning should enable more tailored interventions that can be adjusted to individual sensory profiles and learning plans. For families, the head teacher’s statement that the investment will have a “lasting positive impact for children and families across the borough” suggests the facility may reduce pressure on external provision and improve day-to-day access to specialist support within the school setting. For the local authority, the project demonstrates how targeted capital funding can convert underused space into high-need capacity, potentially informing similar refurbishments at other schools if demand for SEND places continues to rise.