Felden Hall School - Witherslack Group

Hemel Hempstead manor house transformed into essential SEN school

Main contractor, Pexhurst, transformed a historic manor house in Hemel Hempstead which was formally used as a training centre for The Boys Brigade into a modern specialist SEN School.

Appointed by Contract Administrator CS2 on behalf of the client, Witherslack Group, this 18.55-acre site has been repurposed to support children with special educational needs (SEN).

At the heart of this project was the comprehensive refurbishment of three key buildings to create dedicated primary and secondary schools alongside a sports hall.

Internally, the layout was reconfigured to accommodate 32 SEN classrooms, including specialist science laboratories and food technology facilities. Structural alterations enabled the formation of robust partition walls between classrooms, while accessibility and safeguarding were prioritised throughout.

Modern building services were introduced, including a new heating system and energy-efficient LED lighting, alongside full window replacements to enhance comfort and performance.

One of the more complex challenges involved was addressing the subsidence in one of the buildings. A modern technique was used in lieu of traditional underpinning processes, a specialist resin was injected below ground to strengthen the foundations, providing a fast and cost-effective solution.

Externally, the scheme delivered significant upgrades to support both functionality and sustainability. A new car park with electric vehicle charging points were installed, alongside secure perimeter fencing and electric entry gates. Landscaping works enhanced the surrounding environment, including the planting of native hedging.

Felden Hall School now provides a purpose-built environment for children aged five to sixteen with special educational needs, including ADHD, autism, speech and communication difficulties.

As part of the Witherslack Group’s wider network of specialist education facilities, the project responds to the growing demand for high-quality SEN provision across the UK. The completed development not only preserves the legacy of a historic site but redefines its role creating a safe, supportive, and inspiring space where young people can thrive.

Mark Long, head of property development at Witherslack Group, said: “Felden Hall School is an extraordinary property that perfectly reflects our commitment to providing an inspirational learning environment, a place where children and young people with special educational needs can truly feel safe and, importantly, thrive, and it has been great to work alongside the Pexhurst team as it has been transformed.”