Henry Boot begins pro bono SEND school job
Work has started on the £3m redevelopment of Hilltop School in Rotherham, which supports 180 children with complex needs.
The project, delivered in partnership with Yorkshire Children’s Charity through its Great Yorkshire Build initiative, will replace temporary, cramped buildings with modern, purpose-built facilities designed for pupils’ complex learning and accessibility needs.
Works will include a full site reconfiguration to improve access, three new classrooms, a rebound therapy room, and other learning environments.
The scheme brings together more than 50 Yorkshire-based construction firms, working collaboratively to deliver the project with a “DIY SOS-style effort” aiming to set a benchmark for social value within the construction sector.
Henry Boot Construction’s main contractor duties are to be delivered free of charge, including preliminaries and site management.
The contractor said it has also received huge support and discounts from its supply chain, resulting in costs to the charity being a fraction of what they would be on the open market.
YCC’s Great Yorkshire Build initiative is focused on transforming outdated and inadequate buildings often found in SLD, SILC (Specialist Inclusive Learning Centres) and SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disability) schools across the region.
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Ian Gresser, head of pre-construction at Henry Boot Construction, said: “Being part of this milestone project for Yorkshire Children’s Charity makes us incredibly proud. It isn’t just a refurbishment; it’s a complete transformation that will make a lasting impact on children and families across the region.
“It’s an outstanding example of what can be achieved when our industry unites behind a cause to drive meaningful social change.
“It’s construction at its most purposeful, and we’re especially grateful to our supply chain partners who have also stepped forward to help make this possible.”
Hilltop School is part of the Nexus Multi Academy Trust and supports children and young people aged 2–19 with severe and complex learning difficulties. The school was previously featured in the BBC’s SEND Help documentary in 2023.
Charlotte Farrington, chief executive and founder of Yorkshire Children’s Charity, said: “Every child deserves access to education by right, not a privilege fought for by desperate families. Thanks to the incredible Yorkshire construction community, this will soon be a reality for children at Hilltop.”
Work is due for completion in September 2026.
