Tulip Academy had an official handover at the beginning of term to celebrate the opening of their new school building at Waterside Campus, Neville Avenue in Spalding.
Tilbury Douglas, a leading UK building, infrastructure, engineering and fit-out business, successfully completed the build on behalf of the Department for Education (DfE) for CIT.
To mark the occasion, a ribbon was cut to commemorate the first day of the new school year. Alongside Tulip’s new Headteacher, Tina Cox, and pupils were representatives from CIT, the DfE, Gleeds and the Tilbury Douglas delivery team.
The project comprised a new build, two-storey, Special Educational Needs (SEN) school for children and young adults aged 11 to 16, replacing the previous out-dated accommodation.
Built for the future, the new school will benefit from operational savings and is Net Zero Carbon in Operation. This includes photovoltaic panels on the roof, Natural Ventilation with Heat Recovery (NVHR) units, cross ventilation, and air source heat pumps.
Chris Loach, Regional Director – East Midlands at Tilbury Douglas said: “We are proud to have completed and handed over this important scheme. As it was located on a live school environment, we were able to work closely with the school and DfE to ensure minimal disruption to the day-to-day running of the school. We look forward to seeing the local community benefit from their new first-class facilities.”
Tina Cox, Headteacher at Tulip Academy, added: “We extend our thanks to everyone who played a part in bringing this vision to life. This purpose-built school, with its specialist facilities, stands as a testament to what can be achieved when we put learners first. Guided by our mission of ‘Making Every Moment Matter’, we are proud to offer a space where children with a range of complex needs can thrive, grow, and prepare for a future filled with possibility. The support of Tilbury Douglas, Gleeds, and the DfE has helped create a place where every moment will truly matter.”
A DfE spokesperson said: “Every child deserves a safe, high-quality classroom where they can focus on learning. After years of neglect, too many children are being taught in school buildings that are in poor condition, and that simply isn’t good enough.
“We are thrilled to work with Tulip Academy for the Community Inclusive Trust to give its pupils a new school building that they can not only feel proud of, but that meets the needs of all its students now and for future generations.
“As part of our Plan for Change, we are investing in the future, with almost £20 billion for the School Rebuilding Programme through to 2034-35, delivering rebuilding projects at over 500 schools across England, with an additional 250 more schools to be selected in the next two years.”
As giving back to the local community is a priority for Tilbury Douglas, this scheme enabled the team to provide 1,000 apprentice hours, raise over £5,300 for local causes, and dedicate 200 hours to engaging with the pupils at Tulip Academy and the wider community.
