Work to build a new school in Mansfield for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is progressing well. To mark the first stages of this work, colleagues from Diverse Academies Trust joined Nottinghamshire County Councillors and other partners at the site of the former Ravensdale School for the official breaking of the ground ceremony.
The school, which will be sponsored by the Trust, will have capacity for up to 160 pupils across the seven to 19 years age range.
It is being designed, project and cost managed by Arc Partnership, a joint venture between Nottinghamshire County Council and SCAPE, with construction being undertaken by Morgan Sindall. The school is expected to open in 2025.
Nottinghamshire County Council says the purpose-built facility will provide a specialist learning environment for children with social, emotional, and mental health needs.
Councillor Sam Smith, Cabinet Member for Education and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), explains why the council is investing £20 million into this project.
He said: “As a council, we are committed to meeting the needs of children and young people with SEND, and their families, and to providing much-needed special school places in Nottinghamshire. This is why we are investing in this new SEND school, so it’s great to see work progressing.
“It’s vital that every child in Nottinghamshire, no matter what their background, gets the best possible education, in the best possible setting.”
The project is part of a wider programme being delivered by the county council to create up to 490 additional SEND school places by 2026 to address the growing demand for more specialist school places across the county.
David Cotton, chief executive officer for Diverse Academies Trust, said: “It has been a privilege to be joined by colleagues and partners as we celebrate the first steps in creating an innovative new school building. This development reflects a significant investment in our region to support the needs of many families who require access to specialist educational facilities for their children.
“We are incredibly grateful for the support of the Department for Education and Nottinghamshire County Council on this project, and particularly extend our thanks to Arc Partnership and Morgan Sindall Group for their dedication in helping bring this incredible vision to life.”