New SEND unit completes in time for the new school year

As students across the county return to school for a new term, spirits are high at Sybil Andrews Academy as their new SEND unit, ‘ The Abbey’, is complete.

This unit will support local students with Specialist Educational Needs and Disabilities and is a valuable addition for the students in and around Bury St Edmunds.

Joe Pointon, Head of School, said he was delighted to see the new building open and pupils enjoying the new hub.

“The Abbey is a wonderful learning environment with bright and airy classrooms, an outdoor learning area and break-out spaces. Pupils will follow a broad curriculum which will prepare them for their adult life beyond school. Some pupils will do all of their lessons exclusively in The Abbey, but some pupils will come to the main school for certain subjects when appropriate.”

The official opening of The Abbey was marked with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by representatives from the school, Suffolk County Council, Unity Schools Partnership, Concertus, and Barnes Construction.

Construction of the single-storey SEND unit began in March. It will accommodate Key Stages 3 and 4 pupils and include two new classrooms, two group rooms, and office space for staff.

Cllr Andrew Reid, Cabinet Member for Education and SEND at Suffolk County Council, said: “I am pleased to see the difference that Suffolk County Council’s SEND capital investment is having in creating additional specialist places in the county.

“It’s wonderful that pupils will start the school year in a brand-new building.”

The design also includes carefully planned outdoor spaces with canopies that will help elevate the learning environment for the children by encouraging outdoor learning.

Charles Coulson, Associate Director at Concertus, said, “We are extremely proud to have played a key role in creating The Abbey. We are dedicated to supporting Suffolk County Council in creating peaceful and inspiring environments that enable students to develop independence and self-confidence.”

Damien Kerry, Associate Divisional Director at Barnes Construction, added “The completion of this project is another significant milestone in the development of the overall campus, a journey that we are extremely happy to have been involved with since 2015 when we began work on the first teaching block. It has been fantastic to once again work with Suffolk County Council and Concertus to produce another quality facility for the local area, the new building and external areas look amazing and are a real credit to all those involved.”

The unit has separate access for discrete learning but is located in a way that allows students to be included in mainstream school life when needed.