Building work on the new special school in Boston, Lincolnshire has been completed, meaning it can start welcoming its first pupils from September.
The new school has space for 140 pupils, and is located next to St Nicholas Primary School, on Kitwood Road, Boston. The John Fielding School (part of C.I.T Academies) will relocate to the new facility, and be named Boston Endeavour Academy.
Cllr Mrs Patricia Bradwell OBE, Executive Councillor for children’s services, said:
“We want all local children to get a good education, and, to help achieve that, we’re investing £86m in improving our special schools over the next few years. This new £13.2m school will ensure all children in the local area are able to receive a high-quality education as near their family and local community as possible.
“Despite the disruption caused by the pandemic, we’ve managed to keep the project moving forward and I’m delighted that students will soon be able to enjoy the excellent facilities the new school has to offer.”
The new school site includes 16 classrooms, specialist teaching spaces for science, technology, ICT and art, and a hall. It also benefits from a hydrotherapy pool, sensory and soft play rooms and dedicated therapy spaces. Outside, there are hard and soft-surfaced play areas, as well as a sensory garden and wildlife areas.
Dr Richard Gamman, Headteacher of Boston Endeavour Academy, said:
“It is fabulous to have hit this target date after all the disruption of the last year. We are all so excited to move in and have this fabulous new facility ready for the 64 pupils moving over from the former John Fielding School and the 38 new pupils who will be joining us. This is a school for the future that Boston can be very proud of.
“I am hugely grateful to everyone at Wates, LCC and their partners, the team at C.I.T and, of course, the pupils, families and staff of The John Fielding School who have done so much to support this project”.
Building work started in March 2020 and was carried out by Wates Construction.
John Carlin, Regional Director, Wates Construction Midlands, said:
“Delivered during the pandemic, without delay and to an excellent standard, Wates’ delivery of The Boston Endeavour Academy has created 140 much-needed specialist school places as well as providing critical social value to the local area, with 96% of our supply chain formed of SMEs. I couldn’t be prouder of the team for their exemplary efforts and hope the students and staff enjoy their new education facility.”
[Main picture: Richard Gamman – BEA Headteacher, being handed the keys to the school from David Mosedale – Wates Project Manager.]
[Pictured above right: Daran Bland – C.I.T Director of Governance & Operations, Rob Meyer – Kier Project Supervisor, Graham Turner – Kier Senior Architectural Technician, Richard Gamman – BEA Headteacher, David Mosedale – Wates Project Manager, Stephen Thornley – BEA Site Manager, James Toyne – Kier Project Manager, Justin Ward – LCC Senior Project Manager, and Sheridan Dodsworth – LCC Head of SEND Services.]
