(UK) Reading: $5.7M (U.S.) for special school expansion; 50 students added

Aug 5, 2020, Reading Chronicle: Woodley's Addington School expansion almost complete https://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/news/18630598.woodleys-addington-school-expansion-almost-complete/ Southeast England CONSTRUCTION work on a £4.4 million [$5.7 U.S.] extension to a SEND in Woodley is now approaching completion. The new single-storey building extension to The Addington School, Woodlands Avenue, is now entering the final stages of fitting-out, increasing the school's capacity by 50 additional students. The school specialises in working with students that have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and the increase in capacity means that fewer SEND students have to commute outside of the borough to study. … Cllr UllaKarin Clark, executive member for children’s services, said: “I’m delighted to see the Addington School expansion nearing completion and us opening its doors over the next few months. "We’re determined to provide fantastic educational facilities for our SEND young people and with 50 places soon to be opened at the Ofsted-rated outstanding Addington, and more on the way at the new school in Winnersh, we’re providing the space to do this." It was announced last month the Maiden Erlegh Trust would be operating an entirely new free school, The Oak Tree School, which will be based in Winnersh. The SEND school, set to hold 150 spaces, will be constructed in partnership between Wokingham Borough Council, Reading Borough Council and Brighter Futures. Sara Attra, headteacher at Addington School, said: “Everyone at Addington School is excited to see the finishing touches being put to our new building….