Salisbury SEND school project takes step forward
It's hoped it will open next year
A new milestone has been hit in the bid to open a new special educational needs and disabilities school in Salisbury.
The Department for Education have appointed Tilbury Douglas as the project’s preferred building contractor – a vital step to getting the school doors open and the building confirmed.
The milestone comes following a year of progress for the proposed school as it comes closer to becoming a reality.
The SEND Free School project will offer 150 places for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
The school will accommodate pupils with a diagnosis or primary need of autism or social, emotional or mental health needs.
The site is being developed by The Department for Education in close liaison with Reach South Academy Trust and Wiltshire Council, in preparation for the Trust to take up the reins at the end of the project.
Jon Hamp, Reach South Director of Individual Needs and Special Free School Project Lead, said:
“We were delighted to hear of the appointment of Tilbury Douglas as the approved building contractor and see this as a significant step taken in our bid to open the free school. Tilbury Douglas are really experienced in building schools for pupils with specific needs and I am very excited by the plans we have discussed so far. Our meetings to date have been highly detailed and have covered all aspects of both the internal and external environment. We’re looking forward to the contractor submitting planning applications to make sure we get our school building exactly as we would want it.”
The school is being designed for Wilton Road in Salisbury, in the old UTC building.
Cllr Jane Davies, Cabinet Member for SEND at Wiltshire Council, said:
“I’m pleased we can share these important developments which are part of our wider long term plan to ensure we have sufficient places across Wiltshire for children and young people with SEND. We are working closely with our partners on this important work for the south to ensure we can have the school opened and ready for learners with SEND. It is important we share these regular updates, so information and developments are known about at the earliest opportunity.”