There have been some exciting developments since our last newsletter in July. Read on to find out more!
We will send these newsletters out regularly, to keep you posted on developments. We hope you find them helpful and informative and if you have any feedback about what you would like included in them, please email matthew.look@wiltshire.gov.uk.
Silverwood School
In our last newsletter we shared that the planning application for the main build at the school’s Rowde campus had been submitted. This went to the Strategic Planning Committee on 6 October where it was recommended for approval.
The designs were informed by feedback from a series of workshops and online meetings with the school community, local people, families and staff.
The planning application for Silverwood School at its Rowde site will extend the existing campus to provide much needed SEND school places in a high quality provision for 350 pupils by September 2023 if agreed. A further phase of the programme will deliver 50 more places for Silverwood by September 2024.
The proposals include creating a "school within a school" feel with a community of small teaching clusters that will provide a range of specialist teaching spaces, therapeutic support, and quiet dining. There will also be a hydrotherapy pool, a new all-weather sport pitch, new playing fields, landscaping, and ecological enhancements.
Learning opportunity for pupils
The main contractors for the build, Willmott Dixon have been planning sessions with the Silverwood team to get pupils even more involved. This autumn, pupils will be experiencing virtual tours of the new school as well as learning about building site safety and the different key trades. They will learn about the different jobs and machinery, and share their experiences of building work from home and from when they are out and about. Pupils will learn about the construction process and how digital technology is used.
Executive Headteacher of Silverwood School, Sean McKeown has shared his thoughts about the what has happened at Silverwood School over the last few months.
“During the summer, Silverwood School installed new signage and our website went live: https://www.silverwood.wilts.sch.uk/ . Our pupils who arrived back full of energy and enthusiasm for the year look fantastic in their new uniform. I know these changes will strengthen our identity as one school.
"I am very excited about the new school year and the opportunities for us all that lie ahead. Behind the scenes, the Silverwood team will be working hard to build upon last year’s successes. We will continue to streamline processes and procedures in order to bring each campus closer together.
"Silverwood’s number one priority is to ensure that every pupil receives the very best quality of education. This year, our focus will be developing our curriculum, assessing our pupils and celebrating their many achievements.”
Update on new SEND school for Salisbury
Plans to create a new free school in the south of Wiltshire for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are ongoing with the school currently forecast to be open in autumn 2023.
The new free special school called SAIL Academy will provide 150 places for children and young people with autistic spectrum conditions (ASC) and for those with social and emotional and mental health needs (SEMH).
It will be managed by Reach South Academy Trust and delivered by the Department of Education (DfE)
The former University Technical College (UTC) site in Salisbury is the preferred place for the new school which is currently forecast to open in autumn 2023.
SEND School Places Increased in Wiltshire
The main builds in Rowde and Salisbury have not been the only work going on to increase SEND school places in Wiltshire. To ensure there were sufficient places for September, council officers have worked with a range of partners including schools and building contractors to deliver new and expanded provision including:
New resource bases at St. Mark’s and Wyndham Park in Salisbury, in collaboration with Somerset Road Education Trust and Exeter House special school
An expanded resource base in Westbury in partnership with Westbury Infants
A new reception class for Silverwood School in Trowbridge at the Longfield children’s centre building
The team are now looking ahead to September 2022 to ensure children with SEND in Wiltshire can access the right education for them.
