A SCHOOL in Andover has celebrated the completion of major building works which has created 10 new school places for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Hampshire County Council’s cabinet member for education, Cllr Steve Forster, joined staff and governors at Icknield School for a special reception to celebrate the works undertaken.

Icknield School caters for children aged three to 19-years-old with severe learning difficulties. The building has undergone a significant extension creating two new specialist classrooms, a physiotherapy room and other additional facilities including a new workspace for staff.

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The school has since been able to increase its capacity by 10 spaces, from 78 to 88 pupils. Refurbishment works have also been undertaken in the existing building, while the space outside has been improved and now provides a vibrant play area and new outdoor teaching space.

Cllr Forster said: “It was a pleasure to visit Icknield School and to see the many exceptional improvements that have been made. This £2.83 million investment is part of our ongoing commitment to create more special needs places across the county and to give more children with additional needs the opportunity to access high-quality learning and specialist support, close to home and alongside their peers.

"Ultimately, these projects are all about the children and it is clear to see that these improvements have been delivered with their needs fully in mind. The school provides an exceptional learning environment that I know will help to inspire pupils for many years to come.”

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Headteacher Sean Cannon added: "We are so pleased to have had this investment in our building and outside spaces. The whole school is now warmer, quieter and a better space to enable our children to learn.

"The staff and children appreciate the investment in our facilities. The children particularly like the new playground and equipment provided. We have a new fence which has improved the safety of the whole site. We just want to thank you to everyone involved in delivering this for us."

The works at Icknield School were completed in February 2023 and form part of the county council’s wider 2023-2026 Capital Programme for Children’s Services. This outlines a major programme of investment across both mainstream and special schools, early years settings, and children’s social care.