Every child in South Gloucestershire deserves the best possible start in life, which is why investing in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities educational provision in South Gloucestershire’s is an absolute priority. That is why, as part of our Positive Plan for Schools, I have been working with the Council to deliver the new 112-place Two Bridges Academy, which will educate and support 2–19-year-olds with severe learning difficulties and autistic spectrum disorders.
This brand-new education facility will be built at the current Marlwood site, providing tailored support and specialist equipment for its pupils. It is intended to be an ‘all through’ school providing places from nursery to 6th Form, with approximately 90 specialist staff.
The school will be equipped with a hydrotherapy pool, specialist disability sports equipment for rebound therapy, changing facilities specially designed for young people with additional needs, soft play space for supporting sensory diet needs, outdoor wheelchair accessible play equipment and purpose-built life-skills facilities. On top of this, I am delighted that some of the school’s specialist facilities will be available for local community use and hire outside school hours. A preliminary consultation has already been held evaluating the plans for the new school, and as our local MP I have submitted a letter of support to deliver this vital project.
It has also been confirmed that due to our successful Government funding bid, the Two Bridges Academy will be funded and delivered by the Department for Education as part of the Free Schools Programme and will be opened and run by Enable Trust, a local specialist education academy trust who run New Siblands school in Thornbury and Culverhill school in Yate.
Improving Special Educational Needs provision by ensuring the delivery of this new school in Thornbury remains a key part of our Positive Plan for Schools and Family Life. This plan also means; building two new primary schools in Yate, redeveloping Castle and Marlwood School, continuing to refurbish and repair our rural schools such as the work on Rangeworthy Primary, Iron Acton Primary and Old Sodbury Primary and building a new secondary school at Lyde Green, offering 900 school places.
Investing in South Gloucestershire’s education is more important than ever. It is an absolute priority to deliver the very best schools for our children
As our local MP, I have responded to the consultation supporting this vital project. A copy of my letter is available here: https://www.lukehall.org.uk/news/mp-pledges-support-new-sen-school-sout…
