Hammer Lane Academy, Sharlston

Wakefield Council and Waterton Academy Trust have officially marked the opening of Hammer Lane Academy, the district’s first Special Independent School. Welcoming its first pupils in September 2025, the school provides specialist education for children with social, emotional and mental health needs, autism and communication difficulties, offering 30 places for Key Stage 1 pupils.

We supported Waterton Academy Trust in the refurbishment of the former nursery at Sharlston Community School, providing architectural design, quantity surveying, project management, Principal Designer: CDM and Principal Designer: Building Regulations services.

The brief was to create a new kitchen, dining area, sensory rooms, classrooms, staff room, refurbished and new accessible WCs plus a new school office and reception. Externally, a new level playground was created specifically for the school’s needs.

Other works included compliance upgrades, access control installation and general redecoration throughout, delivering a modern, nurturing environment created through a Council-approved capital grant and partnership between Wakefield Council and Waterton Academy Trust.