A new spacious facility for pupils with special needs in south Wiltshire is opening today (4 February).
The school for primary and lower secondary age groups is part of a wider approach to meeting growing need for specialist education provision in the county.
The satellite is being developed as part of the wider review of special education that Wiltshire Council has been taking forward over the last three years. The review demonstrated a need for an additional special facility for pupils with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Social Emotional and Mental Health concerns (SEMH) in the south of Wiltshire.
Reach South, multi Academy Trust which includes Springfields Academy, Magna Learning Partnership and Wiltshire Council have worked together to open ‘Springfields South’ as a satellite specialist provision on the site of Sarum Academy in Salisbury.
Springfields Academy specialises in supporting vulnerable young people, with ASD/SEMH, to access and enjoy their learning.
The team of highly experienced staff have been working with the children during the period of transition while the school building on the site of Sarum Academy has been made ready.
Springfields Headteacher Jon Hamp said: “I’m so pleased that children and families who felt that doors had been closed to them, will now be able to walk into their new school on Monday. We have planned it all in great detail and now just want to get started.”
Laura Mayes, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for children’s services said: “I’m sure pupils will love their new school and enjoy their learning in spacious bright classrooms.
“This is a much needed resource in the south of the county. We will continue to work together to make Springfields South a success and create further projects for children and young people in the future. We hope Springfields South is the start of some great work across the county to ensure we can provide for all our children and young people with special needs.”
