Construction has begun on Tiffield Academy, a new school in Towcester, England, UK, designed to support children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).  

The school is being developed by Wilmott Dixon, and Greenwood Academies Trust will be responsible for running it. 

A ground-breaking ceremony was held marking the commencement of the project that is expected to progress over the next 18 months. 

West Northamptonshire Council Children, Families, Education and Skills cabinet member and councillor Fiona Baker attended the ceremony alongside other representatives. 

Baker said: “This is a step forward and is part of our wider programme of creating 600 new specialist places locally as we continue to see a high demand for SEND places to meet the needs of our children and young people. 

“We know this is not a solution for all and that there remain challenges with demand in other areas. We are working hard to provide support in all areas across our SEND offer and are working with schools and learning providers to embed a graduated response to ensure children’s needs are identified as early as possible and met in the best way.” 

Following planning approval in January this year, the three-storey building has been designed to foster a nurturing environment conducive to learning and development. 

It will cater to students aged four to 18 years with a range of needs including autistic spectrum conditions, speech, language and communication needs, and severe learning difficulties.

The facility is designed to accommodate 250 pupils but will operate with an initial number of 230.  

The additional 20 places will be made available for emergency placements or other extenuating circumstances.  

The school will feature general and practical teaching spaces, a lift system, as well as dedicated calm rooms, intervention rooms, and group rooms adjacent to each key stage. 

The school is scheduled to open in late 2025. 

This comes after Willmott Dixon secured a contract to construct Pendle Police Station for Lancashire Constabulary last week.