Graham Starts £14m Hillingdon SEND School Project at Meadow High

Key Points

• Graham awarded £14 million contract by Hillingdon Council for new SEND academic building at Meadow High School, Harefield.
• SEND schools in Hillingdon at full capacity; growing demand for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
• New two-storey building will increase Meadow High School’s capacity from 257 to 357 pupils.
• Construction includes various learning spaces, multi-use games area, and landscaping.
• Project started summer 2025, expected completion summer 2026.
• Noviun Architects designing; Hydrock responsible for structural and civil engineering.
• Graham regional director Pat O’Hare highlights the building’s role in meeting growing demand and providing inspiring, safe, high-quality facilities.
• SEND system reform in England ongoing but delayed to 2026; government emphasizing inclusion and early intervention.
• SEND funding increased nationally, with focus on early years and inclusive education.
• Broader SEND challenges include capacity shortages and pressure on local authorities.

Who has been awarded the contract for the new SEND school in London?

Graham, a prominent construction and development company, has been awarded a contract worth approximately £14 million by hillingdon/hillingdon-council/">Hillingdon Council to design and build a new academic building dedicated to pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) at Meadow High School in Harefield. This contract was confirmed in late October 2025, with work having commenced during the summer of the same year and expected to complete by summer 2026, according to Design & Build UK on 30 October 2025.​

Why is the new SEND building needed at Meadow High School?

Hillingdon Council has recognised a crucial need to expand SEND provision due to existing schools operating at full capacity coupled with rising demand for specialised support. Meadow High School currently educates 257 pupils with SEND, and the new building will increase this capacity by 100 pupils, raising it to 357. This expansion aims to better serve students with a variety of additional needs in a supportive, specialised environment.​

What features will the new SEND building include?

The contract encompasses a two-storey academic building that will house a range of dedicated learning spaces tailored to SEND pupils. Additionally, the project will include a multi-use games area to promote physical activity and social interaction, alongside landscaping enhancements around the new facility to create a safe and welcoming environment. The design is overseen by Noviun Architects, with Hydrock appointed as structural and civil engineers.​

What has Graham said about the project?

Pat O’Hare, Regional Director at Graham, emphasised the significance of the new building for both Meadow High School and the wider Hillingdon borough. He stated:

“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”.​

What is the current status of SEND reform and funding in England?

The SEND education system in England is undergoing significant reforms, though the government has recently postponed some reform proposals until 2026 to allow for further consultation with parents, educators, and experts. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson cited the need for “additional co-creation” to ensure policies meet the real needs of children and young people with SEND. This pause has elicited mixed reactions: the Disabled Children’s Partnership called the delay “deeply frustrating,” whereas others highlighted the importance of thoughtful policy development.​

Simultaneously, there has been an increase in funding for SEND support. The Department for Education announced a £1 billion increase in the high needs budget for the 2025-26 financial year in England, prioritising early intervention and inclusive mainstream education. Efforts include targeted training programmes for early years special educational needs coordinators and neurodiversity support in primary schools.​

How does this local project at Meadow High reflect broader SEND system challenges?

The demand for SEND placements is outstripping supply in many areas, and Meadow High School’s expansion exemplifies a response to this pressure. Nationally, authorities struggle with sufficient specialist placements and funding shortages, underscoring the need for new and improved facilities. Dr Graham Gault, National Secretary at NAHT Northern Ireland, has called for early, collaborative planning to provide adequate resources and spaces for pupils with SEN, warning against last-minute responses that undermine quality provision.​

What other initiatives by Graham relate to SEND education?

In addition to construction projects, Graham has been involved in SEND-focused community engagement programmes. For instance, the company’s Beacon Programme piloted in the Midlands aimed at providing work experience opportunities for young SEND people in the construction sector has received positive recognition. Vicky O’Connor, Career Consultant at The Westminster School, praised the programme for opening career pathways for SEND students, while Ronan Hughes, Graham’s Regional Director, indicated plans to expand this model to other regions.​

What architectural and engineering firms are involved in the Meadow High project?

The design responsibilities rest with Noviun Architects, renowned for their thoughtful educational environments, while Hydrock is tasked with structural and civil engineering. This collaboration ensures that the building will meet both the functional needs of SEND pupils and the technical requirements for safety and sustainability.​

What is the timeline for the construction and completion of the new SEND building?

Work on the new Meadow High School SEND facility began in summer 2025 and is scheduled for completion by summer 2026. This timeline aligns with the urgent need to increase SEND school capacity in the London Borough of Hillingdon and improve the quality of facilities available to pupils with complex needs.​

What challenges remain in SEND education despite such projects?

The SEND system in England continues to face challenges, including funding sustainability, increasing demand, and effective integration between education, health, and care services. Recent reports from the National Audit Office have described the SEND system as “broken” and in need of reform to improve outcomes for children and young people. Meanwhile, advocacy groups and local authorities call for long-term strategic planning and investment to support the growing population of pupils requiring SEND provision.​

Graham’s contract to deliver a state-of-the-art SEND academic building at Meadow High School represents a vital step in expanding specialist education capacity in London. The project responds directly to increasing demand, aligns with broader national efforts to reform SEND provision, and reflects Graham’s commitment to inclusive education both through infrastructure and community engagement initiatives. However, broader systemic challenges remain, reinforcing the need for continued investment, policy development, and collaborative planning across all stakeholders to ensure children with special educational needs and disabilities receive the support they deserve.