Pupils cut ribbon at opening of new special school in Wilmslow

19 February 2024

Conlon Construction has handed over the newly expanded Springfield School site in Wilmslow, creating up to 80 much-needed local school spaces for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Cheshire East Council awarded Conlon Construction the contract as part of our commitment to increase the number of specialist school spaces within the borough and support young people with a range of needs, including autistic spectrum condition, severe learning difficulties and profound multiple learning difficulties.

The satellite site has been designed and built with special consideration for the access, safeguarding, and sensory requirements of pupils aged four to 18.

A handover ceremony was held on Friday 16 February with pupils given the honour of formally opening their new school. Students, alongside other dignitaries, cut the ribbon to officially kickstart a new era of learning, focused on being healthy, safe, both enjoying and achieving, making a contribution, and entering the adult world with multiple life and education skills.

Councillor Carol Bulman, lead member for children and families at Cheshire East Council, said: “I am absolutely delighted to see this school open and the first group of children enjoying their lessons.

“I’d like to thank everyone involved in the construction and delivery of this truly special school.

“A key priority for us has been to understand how many additional school places we will need for children and young people with SEND and for us to grow within that forecast. This will increase choice for families, reducing journey times and supporting pupils to be part of their local community.

“We have already made considerable capital investment into increasing school places having provided over 230 new places in our special schools and resource provisions in the last five years.”

Lisa Hodgkinson, head teacher at Springfield School, said: “We have been working closely with Cheshire East Council over a number of years to increase specialist places for children with cognition and learning difficulties at our site in Crewe. We were absolutely delighted last week to open the doors to our new satellite school in Wilmslow. The school will offer a further 80 places for children across Cheshire East from age 4-18.

“We understand how much the provision is needed within Cheshire East to support young people and their families. Conlon Construction have been amazing to work with and really understood what we needed to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for our young people.”

Kirsty Arthur, head of school, said: “The first two classes have settled into their new school exceptionally well and we look forward to gradually increasing numbers over the next 12 months. The Wilmslow community have been extremely welcoming, and we look forward to building relationships for the future.’’

Darren Lee, commercial director at Conlon Construction, said: “Springfield School is a fitting showcase for our extensive education credentials. From early years to university, we have delivered modern, appealing, and sustainable education facilities across the region.

“With several SEND projects to our name, we have a vast understanding of the needs and requirements of a school created for young people with additional needs and are proud of the environment we’ve created here in Wilmslow. It was a pleasure to hand it over to excited and ambitious new pupils and teachers.”