July 24, 2023, Northumberland Gazette: Special educational needs free school in Blyth Gilbert Ward Academy making progress on school building construction https://www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk/education/special-educational-needs-free-school-in-blyth-gilbert-ward-academy-making-progress-on-school-building-construction-4229909
NE England
Construction progress at a new special educational needs school in Blyth means the building is on course for completion in January 2024.
Gilbert Ward Academy, a new free school with capacity for 80 11 to 16-year-olds with special needs and autism, will begin teaching in September 2023 at a temporary site in Blyth.
The completion of the building’s superstructure and progress with the walls and windows means Northumberland County Council, which has helped fund construction, is confident the school will be handed the keys to the permanent site by January.
Recently recruited headteacher Barry Reed said: “We are thrilled with the incredible progress being made on our state-of-the-art school build….
“We are truly excited to welcome our new pupils and their families to our school community and look forward to a wonderful and successful academic year.”…
It is part of the council’s strategy for increasing special educational needs and disabilities provision in schools, and the council has contributed its own funds on top of the Department for Education’s investment.
Cllr Guy Renner-Thompson, the cabinet member responsible for education, said: “It is really exciting to see this flagship new school taking shape.
“It is part of our once in a generation investment in education facilities across the county to make sure we have first-class facilities to support first class teaching that can meet the needs of all our children and young people as close to home as possible.”
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