Member Article

Works complete on new academy in Mablethorpe providing places for alternative needs students

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

Springwell Alternative Academy Mablethorpe, located on Seaholme Road, has been delivered in partnership with Wellspring Academy Trust and Lincolnshire County Council, through the Department for Education’s Construction Framework.

The project included the refurbishment and remodelling of the two existing buildings at the former Monks Dyke Tennyson secondary school, as well as a new build extension. The school has remained operational in an adjacent building during the works; moving across into the newly completed buildings over the summer ready for the new school year.

An open event for teaching, support staff and local residents took place on Friday 6 September, with the academy officially opening to pupils on Monday 9 September.

The 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.

It is the latest development as part of the framework’s partnership – with academies already launching across the county in Macaulay Drive, Lincoln, and New Beacon Road, Grantham. Together, all three academies provide 189 places for alternative needs students across Lincolnshire.

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

“Over the course of these three projects with Wellspring Academy Trust, we have built a strong and ongoing relationship, and look forward to working together in the future on important developments that make a positive difference in their locations. Works have already begun on the new Springwell Alternative Academy in Spalding, and we are making excellent progress.”

Mark Wilson, CEO at 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.”

Works on the new Springwell Alternative Academy in Spalding, which includes the refurbishment of the former South Holland Post-16 Centre, started at the end of July and is expected for completion this winter. As the fourth new academy built as part of the partnership, it will provide a further 63 essential places for pupils living in Lincolnshire.

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