Ipswich Academy has officially opened its new Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) unit following a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by key partners and stakeholders.

Delivered through a collaboration between Suffolk County Council, Paradigm Trust, Concertus and SEH French, the new single‑storey building is now complete and has been gradually welcoming students since earlier this year, providing a purpose‑designed environment to support pupils with additional needs.

Cllr Andrew Reid, Cabinet Member for Education and SEND at Suffolk County Council, said: “This new SEND unit is a fantastic addition to Ipswich Academy and reflects our continued commitment to ensuring every child in Suffolk has access to the right learning environment. Facilities like this play a vital role in helping young people with additional needs thrive both academically and personally.”

The new unit includes two classrooms with storage and adjustable height sinks, two group rooms, a WC, an accessible WC, and a secluded external recreational space designed specifically to support pupils’ learning and wellbeing.

Adam Wilding, Principal at Ipswich Academy, said: “When the opportunity arose to host a new Specialist Education Unit (SEU) at Ipswich Academy, we didn’t hesitate. We are deeply committed to being a truly inclusive school and proud to partner with the local authority to provide these much-needed specialist places. While the provision within the SEU is bespoke for its 24 students, they are first and foremost members of Ipswich Academy. Our goal is to ensure that every student, regardless of their starting point, feels they belong and has the support they need to thrive.”

The classrooms have been thoughtfully designed with three smaller square windows set at varying heights. This reduces large open views towards potentially distracting areas such as car parks and play spaces, while ensuring wheelchair users and pupils of all heights can still enjoy views outside.

At the building entrance, climbing jasmine has been introduced to create an inviting visual feature, with its fragrance helping to establish a calm and welcoming sensory environment. Externally, a dedicated planting bed has been incorporated into the play space, enabling pupils to grow and care for their own plants as part of their learning experience.

Sean Jeffries, Principal Architect at Concertus, said: “Every aspect of the design was carefully considered to create a nurturing, inclusive space that supports learning, wellbeing and independence. The result is a building that responds directly to the needs of both pupils and staff.”

Internally, a soft palette of pale blues and creams has been used throughout to create a balanced environment that avoids over stimulation while remaining engaging and supportive for pupils with SEND.

Construction of the new SEND unit began in May 2025. Neil Pryke, Contracts Manager at SEH French, said: “It has been an absolute pleasure working on this project. It’s safe to say the children now have great classroom spaces, which I’m sure they will enjoy. From a site management perspective, we could not have asked for a better client in terms of their support and genuine interest in the project. We wish the school and its pupils the very best in their new space.”

The development will enable Ipswich Academy to support 24 Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 students with cognition and learning difficulties, providing specialist facilities that help them learn, grow and succeed in a tailored educational setting.