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Ardnashee SEN School and College Derry-Londonderry

Ardnashee SEN School and College in Derry-Londonderry caters to children and young people with a wide range of learning difficulties – from moderate to severe and complex needs. The new building, covering 8,815 square metres, replaces older sites and brings the school community together on a single, newly built campus for the first time.

The project was developed in collaboration with Headteacher Raymond McFeeters, architectural firm Samuel Stevenson, Alpha, and VS. The campus includes flexible classrooms, multipurpose spaces, quiet areas, and specialist rooms for art, music, drama, design & technology, and home economics.

A key focus is on adaptable learning environments. Furniture from the Shift+ range – including height-adjustable tables, chairs in various sizes, and mobile storage units – allows for rapid reconfiguration of spaces. As the furniture is lightweight and easy to move, pupils can also be involved in rearranging the rooms.

With the completion of the school, the north-west of Northern Ireland now has a new centre for special educational needs, offering learning spaces designed to meet a broad spectrum of requirements.

Architect: Samuel Stevenson, Alpha

Spaces that adapt

At Ardnashee School, classrooms are not rigidly structured. Tables on casters, chairs of various sizes and shapes, and height-adjustable work surfaces make it possible to quickly reconfigure any room—for individual instruction, group lessons, therapeutic sessions, or creative activities such as music, cooking, and theater.

A student at Ardnashee School is practicing math at a round table during one-on-one tutoring with a teacher.

Learning on equal footing

Whether it’s focused one-to-one support at the semi-circular tables, collaborative discovery in small groups or chatting over lunch – the furniture at Ardnashee School creates just the right sense of closeness between teachers and pupils at every moment. Every situation is given the space it needs.

Exercise is part of it

At Ardnashee School, sitting doesn’t mean staying still. Movement-friendly seating options, such as stools and rocking chairs, give students the freedom to move around while still staying focused—an important component of an inclusive learning environment.

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Curious for more? Explore more references

Giant Steps Autism Centre, Montreal, Canada

Giant Steps Autism Centre in Montreal, Canada features sensory-friendly design, secure environments, and specialised spaces – supporting students with autism through thoughtful, inclusive architecture and adaptive educational furniture.