Watermill School
Overview
Watermill School, located in Stoke-on-Trent and built on the former Middlehurst School site, is a purpose-built facility designed to provide the highest quality of support for pupils aged 3 to 16, all of whom have varying levels of learning difficulties. The new building has been developed to create a safe, inclusive, and adaptable learning environment that meets the needs of every student.
Seddon Construction acted as the main contractor and appointed Bennett Architectural to design, fabricate, and install the aluminium glazing package for the project. Watermill represents the latest collaboration between Bennett Architectural and Seddon Construction — a partnership that continues to strengthen with each successful development.
The Challenge
The glazing systems needed to:
- Support a specialist educational environment
- Deliver long-term durability and low maintenance
- Provide high levels of thermal performance
- Meet accessibility, safety, and security requirements
- Achieve a clean, modern aesthetic appropriate for a flagship SEND school
With such a diverse pupil age range, the design also needed to ensure safety, comfort, and performance across all areas of the building.
Our Solution
The Bennett Architectural design team created a bespoke glazing solution tailored to Watermill School’s functional and environmental needs. To achieve the required performance and appearance, we installed a combination of high quality Kawneer systems, including:
Installed Systems
- Kawneer AA100 Curtain Walling
Provided a robust and modern façade solution with excellent thermal efficiency. - Kawneer AA720 Windows
Offered strong performance, secure ventilation options, and long-term durability. - Kawneer AA190 Doors
Designed for high traffic educational environments with enhanced strength and reliability. - Louvres
Included to support ventilation requirements while maintaining the building’s overall aesthetic.
Each system was selected to support the school’s long-term operational needs, contributing to a safe, efficient, and future-proof learning environment.
Outcome
The final glazing package delivered by Bennett Architectural allowed Watermill School to achieve:
- A modern and welcoming façade
- High thermal performance, supporting long term energy efficiency
- Durable systems suitable for a specialist educational setting
- A future-proof design, enabled through careful system selection
- Full alignment with the client’s aesthetic and functional goals
The collaboration between Bennett Architectural and Seddon Construction once again proved highly successful, and we look forward to continuing this strong partnership on future projects.