GRAHAM has been awarded a contract worth approximately £14 million by Hillingdon Council to design and construct a new academic building for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) at Meadow High School in Harefield.

Meadow High School is a mixed-gender secondary school supporting 257 pupils aged 11 to 19 across years 7–14, specialising in education for young people with Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

With SEND provision across Hillingdon currently at full capacity and demand for specialist education continuing to grow, the new facility will play a crucial role in meeting local needs. The 2,276m² two-storey building will create a supportive, state-of-the-art learning environment and expand the school’s capacity by up to 100 additional pupils.

The development will feature a variety of purpose-built learning spaces and a multi-use games area, complemented by extensive landscaping. Plans also include the installation of temporary classrooms, ancillary structures, heat pump and substation enclosures, and improved vehicular access with new car and cycle parking.

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Cllr Susan O'Brien, Hillingdon Council's Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education, said: "We continue to deliver on our pledge to provide children in Hillingdon with a high quality and fully inclusive education. This exciting project will create more school places for children with SEND, helping them to reach their full potential in a supportive learning environment, and I'm looking forward to seeing it take shape."

Cllr Jonathan Bianco, Hillingdon Council's Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Corporate Services and Property, added: "Our school improvement and expansion programme is delivering excellent facilities across the borough, and this new facility in Harefield will enhance our offer. Our continued investment locally will also help reduce the council’s reliance on expensive independent special school places."

Pat O'Hare, Regional Director at GRAHAM, said: "This new building will significantly improve SEND facilities and capacity in Meadow High School, also contributing to meeting increasing demand in the wider borough. Thoughtfully designed to ensure an optimum, inspiring, safe and high-quality educational environment for pupils with a range of additional needs, we are excited to deliver this fantastic and much needed project."

GRAHAM is working in collaboration with Noviun Architects and Hydrock, who are providing architectural, structural and civil engineering expertise for the scheme.

Construction began during the summer, with completion expected by Summer 2026.