Morgan Sindall Construction's Northern Home Counties division has begun a major £16.2 million redevelopment of the Burnside Secondary Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) in Chingford. Appointed by the Department for Education (DfE), the project is part of the DfE’s School Rebuilding Programme and was procured through the 2021 construction framework.

The project will see the delivery of a modern teaching block and a hall and sports block, linked by a glazed corridor, across the 1,815m² site. Works will be completed in three phases, with the teaching block scheduled for handover in late 2026 and final completion expected in spring 2028.

The teaching block will feature six multi-purpose classrooms, a specialist science laboratory, and an art and design studio, while the hall and sports block will house a new sports hall, dining area, food technology and fitness rooms. A new Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) will provide outdoor sports facilities for both pupils and the local community. Staff amenities will include offices, a staff room, and storage space.

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Burnside PRU currently educates up to 48 pupils aged 11-16, including those with Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs) who have faced challenges in mainstream education. To minimise disruption, existing single-storey buildings will be demolished in stages as new construction progresses. Phase one focuses on demolishing the Burwood Centre to build the teaching block, phase two involves the adjacent block, and phase three covers hard and soft landscaping.

Special consideration has been given to safeguarding and pupil wellbeing. Design features include privacy in outdoor spaces, muted paint tones, calming lighting, and durable materials for long-term use. The new facilities will include a library, careers space, SEN therapy room, and ICT suite, all tailored to meet the needs of PRU pupils.

Sustainability is central to the scheme. Precast flooring and stairs will reduce on-site waste and carbon emissions, while photovoltaic panels, an air source heat pump, and Closed Panel Timber construction aim to support net-zero carbon operation. Morgan Sindall will also use its CarboniCa digital tool to track and minimise the building’s embodied carbon.

The project will deliver social value for the local community through engagement with a nearby primary school, university, and community centre, alongside apprenticeships and work experience opportunities for local residents.

The Burnside PRU redevelopment demonstrates Morgan Sindall’s continued expertise in delivering complex educational projects in live, sensitive environments while prioritising sustainability and community impact.