Business

Alpha Group completes fit-out of UK’s largest special school

Castle Tower pupils and their teacher Miss McAlister settle into their new classroom, where the furniture is supplied by The Alpha Group
Castle Tower pupils and their teacher Miss McAlister settle into their new classroom, where the furniture is supplied by The Alpha Group Castle Tower pupils and their teacher Miss McAlister settle into their new classroom, where the furniture is supplied by The Alpha Group

OFFICE and educational furniture supplier Alpha Office Furniture has completed one of its most significant recent projects, supplying all furniture for the UK’s largest special school, the new Castle Tower School in Ballymena,

A division of the Alpha Group, which specialises in office and educational furniture and design in the UK and Ireland, Belfast-based Alpha provided specialist furniture to fit the needs of pupils and staff for the new £20 million building.

More than 300 pupils aged from three to 19 attend Castle Tower, which serves pupils with a range of learning and physical needs in a new building which combines three special schools in the Ballymena area into one campus.

Alpha Group's chief executive Paul Black said: “This was a unique project as our main role was to design a space where pupils and staff could engage and interact while at the same time making sure all furniture meets the needs of the pupils.

"The end result includes colourful, bright and mobile furniture so the whole space is both engaging and adaptable for pupils and staff alike.

“This project is an example of how our team can create a solution for any project, whatever the requirements. We have truly enjoyed being an integral part of this project and are delighted to see how well the pupils interact in their new school environment.”

Raymond McFeeters, principal at Castle Tower School, added: “During our first assembly in the new school pupils were asked what they thought of the new school interiors and one child replied 'It looks like the future'.

"This is a beautifully designed work space and there is no institutional feel. Castle Tower is not a traditional school and we wanted our interior to reflect that. It was important for us to eliminate any stigma that may exist- about special schools and to raise the self-esteem of our pupils.”

Trading for more than 40 years, Alpha Office Furniture (www.alphaofficefurniture.com) is a leading provider of office furniture and design solutions and is a specialist in providing furniture and design for the education sector and universities.