The council wants to ensure that all children can access high-quality education, as near to their family and local community as possible.Cllr Mrs Patricia Bradwell ,
OBE, executive member for children's services
BSP Consulting provided civil and structural engineering services for a major SEND school development in Lincolnshire. The practice previously worked with Willmott Dixon on a Lincolnshire County Council–funded scheme to deliver a new teaching block at Tulip Academy in Spalding.
The initial phase included enhanced teaching accommodation, a dedicated hygiene suite, group and calm rooms, a refurbished medical space, and improved staff facilities. New IT, life skills and social recreation spaces were created, alongside enhanced parking provision. The £7.8m development was completed and officially opened in July 2023.
Following the successful delivery of this scheme, BSP Consulting has been appointed on a second phase at the school. The new two-storey building will provide additional classrooms, dining and assembly halls, sensory rooms, a library, fitness facilities, kitchens, offices and supporting accommodation, and is being funded by the Department for Education.
To facilitate the development, an existing building at the Waterside Campus on Neville Avenue will be demolished. Tulip Academy Spalding was formed in 2021 following the merger of Priory and Garth Schools and provides specialist education for children and young people aged two to 19 with a wide range of learning difficulties and disabilities.
Designed with long-term sustainability in mind, the new building will achieve Net Zero Carbon in Operation and deliver operational cost savings. The environmental strategy includes roof-mounted photovoltaic panels, natural ventilation with heat recovery (NVHR), cross-ventilation, and air source heat pumps.
Key challenges and engineering solutions
The site is underlain by poor ground conditions, requiring careful foundation and drainage design. Works are being delivered within a large, fully operational school, drawing on BSP Consulting’s experience of working safely in live education environments. The site lies within Flood Zone 3, requiring a comprehensive Flood Risk Assessment and integrated flood mitigation measures.
Take a look here to find out more about our academy experience:
Role
- Civil Engineering
- Structural Engineering
Client
Lincolnshire County Council - South Holland District Council
Contractor
Tilbury Douglas
Architect
CPMG
Project Description
A SEND school in Lincolnshire
Value
£7.8m
Completion
2025
