SEN school feasibility study brief
SEN feasibility is BB104-driven and accessibility-led. Sensory rooms, hygiene rooms, hoist tracking and acoustics work add scope-days to architect, M&E and acoustics, lifting the fee 12 to 15 percent over a mainstream brief of the same size.
BB104 scope
BB104 sets area planning for SEN and AP. For a 60-place SEN unit the area requirement runs significantly above BB103 mainstream per pupil because of sensory, hygiene and therapy spaces, plus generous circulation for wheelchair and equipment movement [source: BB104, verified 2026-06-24].
Sensory, hygiene and accessibility scope
Brief must specify: sensory room acoustics, hygiene room sizing to Changing Places standard, hoist tracking provision, lift size and quantity for wheelchair access, evacuation chair storage, sensory garden or external break space.
HNB funding routes
High Needs Block capital comes through the LA. Where the trust is creating an SEN unit attached to a mainstream school, capital can flow through Basic Need or HNB depending on the LA's commissioning model.
EHCP-place feasibility deliverables
Per EHCP-place: room data sheet, equipment schedule, accessibility statement, evacuation plan, BB104 compliance check, M&E load calc.
Programme weeks
Typical SEN unit feasibility runs eight to twelve weeks because acoustics modelling and accessibility audit add to the critical path.