Horizons Academy
Mansfield
Number of Students:
160Project Value:
£538KWeeks on site:
12Project Overview
Horizons Academy is a new purpose-built specialist school in Mansfield designed to support children and young people aged seven to 19 with autism and social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs. Delivered as part of Nottinghamshire County Council’s wider SEND provision programme, the £30 million development will create up to 160 specialist school places.
Working alongside Morgan Sindall Construction, Pinnacle was appointed to deliver the specialist design and fit-out package due to our experience creating effective SEND learning environments. The project demanded spaces that promote wellbeing, emotional regulation and independence, while remaining durable, practical and ready for the demands of everyday school life.
The Brief
Horizons Academy needed a specialist environment built around the needs of its pupils. Every space had to support learning, movement and emotional wellbeing while helping staff create calm, structured and inclusive learning experiences.
The brief included:
- Delivering specialist SEND environments tailored to sensory and emotional regulation
- Designing and installing bespoke sensory and soft play facilities
- Providing durable, education-ready furniture and finishes
- Supporting a broad curriculum offer with specialist teaching spaces
- Creating safe, adaptable environments that promote inclusion and independence
A key priority was creating spaces that feel supportive without feeling restrictive. The environment needed to help pupils feel safe, engaged and confident throughout the school day.
What We Did
Pinnacle delivered the design, specialist fit-out, fixed furniture and bespoke SEND installations across teaching, wellbeing and support environments throughout the school. Every area was designed to balance durability, safety and functionality with the emotional and sensory needs of pupils
Specialist Learning Environments
General classrooms were fitted with full-height teacherwall installations alongside adjoining calm rooms designed to support emotional regulation. Each calm space included bespoke wall and floor padding systems to create safe, low-stimulation environments where pupils can reset and re-engage with learning.
Across designated calm and sensory areas, we installed bespoke Recon floor padding, Velcro-fixed wall padding and custom protection systems that balance safety, durability and ease of maintenance.
Sensory and soft play facilities
A standout feature of the project was the delivery of a fully integrated sensory and soft play package, the first of its kind completed by Pinnacle
This included:
- Dedicated sensory rooms designed to support engagement and regulation
- Bespoke indoor soft play installations
- Soft play environments with integrated safety padding
- Specialist sensory equipment including an indoor horse rocker
These environments provide controlled sensory stimulation, movement opportunities and safe breakout spaces tailored to the needs of individual pupils.
Specialist teaching and support spaces
Alongside SEND-specific environments, we delivered fitted furniture and specialist installations across a wide range of curriculum and operational spaces throughout the school.
This included:
- Science laboratories complete with fume cupboards and specialist worktops
- Art rooms fitted with durable worktops and storage solutions
- Kitchen spaces with fixed base units and work surfaces
- Library and quiet dining areas designed to promote calm interaction
- Medical rooms, music rooms and administrative offices
- Dining hall and Design and Technology preparation spaces
The completed facility now includes state-of-the-art learning environments with adjacent sensory zones, calm areas, specialist lighting and thermally controlled heating systems designed specifically for pupils with SEND.
Hands-on vocational spaces for art, science, fitness and Design & Technology also help pupils build practical skills, confidence and independence beyond the classroom.
The Result
Horizons Academy provides a specialist learning environment designed around wellbeing, accessibility and inclusive education. Every space has been developed for pupils with autism and SEMH needs while helping staff deliver consistent, structured and effective learning experiences.
The result is a future-focused SEND school that combines specialist environments with practical teaching spaces, helping pupils build confidence, independence and the skills needed for life beyond the classroom.
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