Galliford Try's Building Southern division has initiated construction on the new Endeavour Co-operative Academy in Brentwood, Essex, UK.

It is being delivered on behalf of the Department for Education (DfE) under a contract valued at £16.8m ($21.22m).

The project aims to provide a Special Educational Needs (SEN) school designed to cater for 120 pupils aged four to 16 years with Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD).

Galliford Try Building Southern managing director Gavin Bridge said: “Our business has a strong track record in providing high-quality SEND school buildings across the southern region.

“We look forward to working with the DfE and Keys Co-operative Academy Trust to deliver the first-class bespoke facilities their students deserve.”

The academy will be situated adjacent to the existing Keys Co-operative Academy Trust campus, an educational charity comprising a network of special and alternative provision schools.

It will include a two-storey educational block, Multi Use Game Areas (MUGA), an informal playground, and an unmarked playing field.

To achieve Net Zero Carbon in Operation (NZCiO), the school’s design will include air source heat pumps, a green roof, and extensive photovoltaic (PV) panelling.

It is intended to provide an educational setting where students can gain independence and practical life skills as part of a comprehensive curriculum.

Galliford Try Education director Claire Jackson said: “We’re really pleased to be working with Keys Co-operative Academy Trust and the Endeavour Co-operative Academy, this project adds to our growing portfolio of SEND Schools and we continue to learn from our projects through our Post Occupancy Evaluation process which helps us to gain the insights required to create the best environments to meet students’ needs.”

This comes after Galliford Try secured a contract to construct permanent accommodation for Great Park Academy in Gosforth, Newcastle early in April 2024.