Green light for £38m special school in Wiltshire
Fiona Simpson
Thursday, October 7, 2021
Plans for a £38m special school to replace three existing schools in Wiltshire have been given the go-ahead by councillors.
The Silverwood “super school” will provide places for 350 pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) by extending the site of the former Rowdeford school in Rowde.
The extension will bring together Rowdeford school with Larkrise in Trowbridge, St Nicholas in Chippenham, which are currently classed as Silverwood campuses.
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The plans have been criticised by some parents over concerns children would struggle to travel to the new site.
It will use a model of small teaching clusters that will provide a range of specialist teaching spaces for early years children up to those in post-16 education, therapeutic support, and quiet dining, according to plans.
A hydrotherapy pool, all-weather sport pitch and new playing fields, are also set to feature on the site.
Work on the school is due to be complete by September 2023.
Councillor Jane Davies, cabinet member for SEND at Wiltshire Council, said: "This is an important milestone in ensuring we have enough places to create a first class education for our SEND pupils. I'm delighted we can now start this important work.
“Our carefully thought out plans show how we will be mindful of the environment and rich nature on the site and feedback from our school community and wider communities."
Sean McKeown, headteacher at Silverwood School said: "This is great news for all pupils at Silverwood School - both those attending now and in the future. Our school community across all three campuses have been involved in shaping these plans and we all look forward to seeing plans on paper become excellent facilities which will make a real difference to all our pupils and help meet a real need for additional spaces for the future."
