TG Escapes Modular have partnered with a public sector funding specialist to offer pre-designed Inclusive Learning Hubs available on lease, that allow schools to address the SEND crisis head-on. The solution delivers rapid, high-quality expansion that makes financial sense.
Across the UK education estate, schools and trusts are navigating a perfect storm: an unprecedented rise in students with additional needs colliding with a critical lack of physical capacity. For many Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) and Local Authorities, this has created a financial “bleeding” point. Budgets are increasingly drained by expensive, out-of-area placements simply because local provision is unavailable.
The Design Solution: Purpose-Built for Inclusion
Inclusive Learning Hub Layout
Developed in partnership with leading SEND architects Haverstock and The Blue Iris Consultancy, our Inclusive Learning Hubs are purpose-built specialist facilities designed to facilitate mainstream inclusion.
Available in three models (16, 32, and 64 places), these hubs are designed to meet DfE Building Bulletin requirements and are compliant for Local Authority commissioning. They adhere to rigorous output specifications for robustness, acoustics, and fire safety.
Key design features include:
- Specialist Spaces: Dedicated therapy rooms, sensory spaces, hygiene rooms, and de-escalation zones.
- Biophilic Design: Utilising natural materials and light to lower cortisol levels is shown to improve behaviour and educational outcomes.
- Indoor/Outdoor Flow: Direct access from classrooms to secure outdoor regulation zones.
- Sustainability: Net zero in operation, featuring air source heat pumps and solar PV as standard.
The Financial Case: “Invest to Save”
The most compelling argument for these hubs is financial. By building local capacity, Trusts can support students within their communities thus saving the significant cost of external provision. The recent SEND reforms announced by the DfE will see Inclusion Bases developed in most mainstream education settings to serve as either Support Bases or Specialist bases.
The saving is clear. A recent study by Kent County Council indicated that out-of-area placements can cost up to £142,000 per annum which of course includes staffing, transportation etc. In contrast, the capital cost of a 64-place Inclusion Base can be as low as £65.6k per student.
The Leasing Option: Expanding Without CapEx
Inclusive Learning Hub – central activity area
Under the IFRS16 Maintained Schools Secretary of State Finance Lease Class Consent 2024, modular buildings can be procured through leases. Working with public sector funding partners, TG Escapes offers a fully funded leasing solution that allows cash-strapped Trusts to bypass the wait for capital grants. Instead, the cost of the new building is spread predictably over the term of the lease, moving it to the OpEx budget.
These illustrative leasing costs over a 10-year term (excluding VAT), clarify the financial advantage:
- 16-Place Hub (£1.4m Design & Build): ~£11,175 annual cost per student.
- 32-Place Hub (£2.4m Design & Build): ~£10,090 annual cost per student.
- 64-Place Hub (£4.2m Design & Build): ~£8,831 annual cost per student.
There are no maintenance contracts, and it is a transparent, fixed-cost agreement designed to support prudent financial management.
Find out more about leasing an Inclusive Learning Hub.
Speed of Delivery and Planning
Speed is critical. Thanks to modern methods of construction and off-site manufacturing, we can deliver a fully operational building in a fraction of the time of a traditional build.
- 16-Place Hub: ~24 weeks onsite.
- 32-Place Hub: ~30 weeks onsite.
- 64-Place Hub: ~50 weeks onsite
We also mitigate planning delays through pre-planning packs and strategic designs tailored to align with Permitted Development rights where site parameters allow.
Next Steps
TG Escapes can provide a complimentary design & viability consultation to help you visualise how an Inclusive Learning Hub could fit your site and budget. Get in touch to find out more about leasing modular buildings on 0800 917 7726 or email info@tgescapes.co.uk. tgescapes.co.uk.
