Work begins on new £11.5m SEND school facility in Stoke-on-Trent
Work is underway on a multi-million-pound school project to provide more first-class learning opportunities for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The £11.5 million scheme will see the construction of a new satellite facility to the existing Watermill School in Packmoor and is likely to open to pupils in September 2026.
Stoke-on-Trent-based Seddon Construction Ltd has been awarded the contract to construct the new building complex on Turnhurst Road, which will accommodate up to 70 pupils and is funded through the city council's Schools Capital Programme.
Cllr Sarah Jane Colclough, cabinet member for education and anti-poverty at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: "The Watermill School satellite will help expand on the vital work it does in creating an inclusive environment that values diversity and equality and provides strong foundations for pupils to thrive and accomplish their goals in life.
"We're committed to ensuring that we have an agreed vision across the city, and our partnerships, so that children and young people with SEND have the right support, at the right time, delivered by the right people.
"Making sure that children can access the support they need in their local communities is a really important part of this, so I'm really pleased that we are increasing the number of SEND school places available in the city."
The satellite school is being built on the site of the former Middlehurst School, which was closed in 2014 and demolished in 2022.
Pupils at the school all have learning difficulties of some kind - this may include moderate, severe, physical and multiple learning difficulties and autism and the council hopes the development will help more children get the education and support they need closer to their homes.
Cllr Finlay Gordon McCusker, cabinet member for transport, infrastructure and regeneration at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: "This project is another clear sign that we are regenerating Stoke-on-Trent for the benefit of everyone.
"Seddon has been involved at every step of the process, through the pre-construction design and planning phase. Their appointment as the main contractor will see this exciting and much-needed development moving forward at pace."
It is the latest project that Seddon is working on for the council. In December, the company was appointed to carry out the £5 million transformation of the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery.
Commercial manager at Seddon, Lee Shaw said: "This is a project we're deeply proud to be delivering - not just because of the difference it will make to children and families, but because it represents a strong collaboration between experienced, regional partners. We're excited to be on site and to see the vision start to take shape."
Watermill School, which became an Academy in 2019 as part of the Orchard Community Trust, has been designed to provide for a wide range of pupils' needs to be addressed through educational, social, physical and emotional growth for three-to-16-year-olds.
Watermill School head teacher Jen Lomas said: "Watermill School and Orchard Community Trust are delighted to be part of the expansion of special school places within Stoke-on-Trent.
"We are planning with Seddon, Stoke-on-Trent City Council and other partners to ensure that our expansion will support the delivery of our carefully designed inclusive curriculum."
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