Member Article

126 pupil places for alternative needs students created as work completes on two new academies in Lincolnshire

Regional contractor G F Tomlinson has completed works on two state-of-the-art alternative provision academies in Lincolnshire, creating 126 places for children and young people in the county aged between 4-16 who can no longer access mainstream education.

Springwell Alternative Academy Grantham located on New Beacon Road and Springwell Alternative Academy Lincoln on Macaulay Drive have been delivered in partnership with Wellspring Academy Trust and Lincolnshire County Council, through the Department for Education’s Construction Framework.

Wellspring Academy Trust celebrated the completion of the academies with an open event for teaching, support staff and local residents on 7th June, before it opens to pupils on Monday 10th June.

Each academy will accommodate 63 pupils and provide specialised teaching spaces, a special educational needs therapy room, sensory room, hygiene room, fitness suite, parents’ room, hall and Multi Use Games Area.

Ian Dalby, framework manager at G F Tomlinson, said: “The new academies are a wonderful addition to the region, providing a safe and secure environment to promote positive learning for local students requiring an alternative to mainstream education.

“Wellspring Academy Trust is extremely passionate about the work they do, and the Lincoln and Grantham academies will further bolster the Trust’s provision of nurture and support across Lincolnshire. It’s been a pleasure working on these important projects with them.”

Mark Wilson, CEO, Wellspring Academy Trust said: “We have been working in partnership with Lincolnshire County Council and the Department for Education over the past three years to substantially improve the offer to young people excluded from school and at risk of exclusion in Lincolnshire. The opening of these new schools marks a key milestone on this long journey. The schools will provide a safe, caring and inspirational environment where our young people can be supported to reach their fullest potential.”

G F Tomlinson is also delivering a third academy with Wellspring Academy Trust. Springwell Alternative Academy Mablethorpe, a refurbishment of part of the former Monks Dyke Tennyson secondary school on Seaholme Road, is due to complete at the end of June, ready in time for students to start week commencing 8th July. Together, all three academies provide 189 places for alternative needs students across Lincolnshire.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Eloise Cantello .