Swiss Cottage Specialist SEN School is one of the largest SEN schools in the UK providing support to 230 pupils from the ages of 3 to 19. Formed from the amalgamation of Swiss Cottage and Jack Taylor schools, it brings together children with a very wide range of conditions and capabilities, including severe physical disabilities and autistic spectrum condition. Progression through learning is measured by a ‘stage not age’ approach and the whole school is divided into three smaller schools: Lower, Middle and Upper, each having separate entrances and dining areas. Given that many children will have their entire school education in this building, providing a sense of separation, identity and progression through the three sub-schools is important. As in UCL Academy, the external precast concrete cladding is coloured differently for each. External learning terraces are an integral part of the learning cluster and a key driver in the architectural massing of the building. Every class base has its own terrace, an outdoor room, lined with warm timber cladding and protected with full height, and flush glazing offers views across London as you progress up the four storey building. Outside, every inch of space works hard on this tight site. The drop off area for the morning buses, lined with a glass and timber canopy along the length of the building, is secured during the school day and used as a play and teaching area for life-skills such as road crossing.