Bowman Academy, a specialist school catering to pupils with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, has recently been completed in Shepshed, Leicestershire. The facility, located on the former site of St Botolph’s Primary School, offers a variety of amenities tailored to students aged 4-16 starting from September 2024.
Equipped with classroom suites featuring vinyl areas for practical learning, a sensory ‘dark room’, practical teaching spaces like a domestic kitchen, a library, a calming room, and a main hall with a demountable stage, Bowman Academy is designed to meet the specific requirements of SEMH learners. The school has a capacity for 64 pupils, with dedicated spaces for primary and secondary-aged children.
Architectural services for Bowman Academy were provided by Pick Everard, in collaboration with main contractor Bowmer + Kirkland. The project was implemented under the Department for Education’s (DfE) Modern Methods of Construction (MMC1) framework, ensuring high-quality standards in the construction process.
Employing a ‘fabric-first’ approach to design, Bowman Academy focuses on sustainability by reducing energy consumption through insulation, heat recovery, and air tightness measures. The school features high efficiency boilers, LED lighting with occupancy and daylight controls, glare control, and sustainable natural ventilation, all contributing to a low energy cost solution. Furthermore, the site includes a photovoltaic panel array to offset energy consumption through renewable technology.
Steve Waldron, Contracts Manager at Bowmer + Kirkland, expressed pride in the completion of Bowman Academy, emphasizing the positive impact specialist schools have on the community. The collaboration between Pick Everard and Bowmer + Kirkland has resulted in yet another successful educational facility that will benefit young people in the area.
