Inclusive education: Heathlands School – ADC

Heathlands School, the UK’s largest school for deaf children, has expanded its St Albans campus with the opening of a new building designed specifically for students with sensory needs. The project signals significant growth for the school, which can now accommodate 157 pupils from nursery to Year 13, now including a new sixth form.

Designed by Manalo & White in collaboration with Richard Lyndon Design, the building draws on feedback from workshops with the students, incorporating their experiences and preferences into the design process. As a result, the project looks to balance accessibility, comfort, and vibrant visual cues, creating an environment where students feel valued and understood.

The building’s muted green walls and bright yellow entrances reflect the “vibrancy” and “playfulness” identified during the early design workshops, while its architecture prioritises natural light and unobstructed sightlines.

“Engaging with students was crucial,” explained Richard Dougherty, director at Richard Lyndon Design in a statement. “Deaf individuals often adapt to spaces not designed with their needs in mind. Listening to their experiences shaped a place that not only serves them but also celebrates their identity.”

The need for specialist education for deaf students in the UK is more critical than ever, with a quarter of local councils lacking such facilities. Heathlands School, which caters to children from 34 councils, has seen a surge in demand over the past five years. Initial plans for a first-floor extension evolved into a comprehensive reimagining of the campus, with Manalo & White and Richard Lyndon Design proposing a new building in an underutilised area of the school grounds.

Delivered within a budget of £1 million and completed in eight months, the building is the first phase of a broader masterplan aimed at expanding the school’s capabilities. It includes six classrooms and an outdoor learning area, integrated seamlessly into the existing campus through covered walkways and a new courtyard.

Natural materials, photovoltaic panels, and integrated NVHR (Natural Ventilation with Heat Recycling) have been installed, while classrooms feature large windows and skylights that bring in daylight without glare. Acoustic linings and carpeting also ensure optimal sound conditions for students with hearing aids or cochlear implants.

“We wanted to create spaces that respect how students move and communicate,” said Steve Fox, commercial manager at Manalo & White. “With Richard Lyndon Design’s expertise, we embedded inclusivity into every aspect of the building’s design, ensuring students feel comfortable and engaged.”

Open passageways are preferred to traditional corridors, in order to facilitate movement for those using British Sign Language (BSL). A new lift and interconnected outdoor areas further enhance accessibility, providing students with spaces to decompress between lessons — a key consideration given the concentration required for lip-reading and sign language.

Tiny design details have made an enormous difference.”

— Lesley Reeves Costi, co-headteacher at Heathlands

Future planned expansions at the school include a new sports hall and additional sixth form facilities. As awareness of British Sign Language (BSL) grows — recently bolstered by the BSL Act and the introduction of a GCSE in BSL — the school’s investment in specialist infrastructure ensures it remains a leader in deaf education.

However, as Reeves Costi noted, “Visibility is not enough. Without the right facilities, we risk failing these students. At Heathlands, we’re committed to providing the spaces and support they need to meet their potential.”