Published on
12 August 2024
Early years centre for children with SEND doubles spaces
Addington Early Years Centre is set to welcome 16 new children in September as phase two of the works are completed.
Phase two of the Addington Early Years Centre for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) has had a grand opening, ready to welcome 16 new children who have already been offered a space this September.
Phase one of the centre opened in Autumn 2023 to 17 children aged three to eight years with SEND. Based at the old Farley Hill Primary School site, the centre offers a small bespoke learning environment in spaces specifically designed to cater for their needs.
Fun, inclusive spaces
Included in the phase two works are two new classrooms, a soft play room, splash and sand room and a second, larger playground.
Work has also started on a final new classroom to open September 2025 as well as developing woodland at the back of the school with plans to run a forest school in the future.
This adds to the spaces already available, which include a medical room where therapists can work with children, accessible indoor and outdoor classrooms, a reading area and spaces for children to go to help them regulate.
As well as having special spaces, a large team of dedicated staff are on hand to support the children with all their needs, helping them to feel safe and settled, as well as providing whole family support from a family support worker.
Transforming education
Sara Attra, Headteacher of Addington School, said: “We are extremely delighted that phase two of Addington Early Years Centre is now complete. Along with an additional three classrooms (two of which are ready to open this September), the pupils at the centre will now have access to a sand and splash room as well as a soft play room and the staff now have a much needed staff room.
“The Addington Early Years Centre has transformed the education we can offer our youngest pupils due to the specially designed space it provides. Sensory circuits are a permanent fixture in the hall as well as a large trampoline for Rebound Therapy and the wooded, quiet environment has eased transition into school for our pupils who find this especially daunting.
“We have worked in collaboration with Wokingham Borough Council and it is wonderful that the project has finished on time for the opening of a four class provision this September with all specialist areas of the centre complete, and the old Farley Hill Primary School totally transformed to meet the needs of Addington pupils.”
A warm and supportive environment
Cllr Stephen Conway, Leader of the council, said: “We know that specialist spaces are at a premium nationally for children with SEND and so to have been able to work with Addington School to create this new centre for our youngest pupils right here in the borough has been a privilege.
“The space has been carefully and cleverly planned with the needs of the children in mind and the staff offer a warm and supportive environment for children to start their journey into formal education.
“We have more new spaces planned over the coming months and years to offer more opportunities for children as part of our SEND local area transformation and you can stay up to date with these in our ‘Right Spaces, Right Places’ newsletter which you can sign up to at www.wokingham.gov.uk/newsletter.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to remind people that we are currently developing our SEND and Inclusion strategy for the next five years and would love to hear your thoughts on our priorities at www.engage.wokingham.gov.uk”.
Official opening
An official opening was held in July, attended by representatives from Wokingham Borough Council, ERMC Architects, Francis Construction as well as senior leaders of Addington School and parents of current pupils who attend the centre.
Chris Chatwin, Director at ERMC Architects, and Sarah Dukes, Construction Project Manager, shared photos and a presentation about the project, showing just how much work has gone into converting the old Farley Hill Primary School site into a fully accessible and stimulating space for Addington School’s youngest pupils.
Admissions
Places to Addington Early Years Centre are allocated in line with the admissions policy, which can be seen on the school’s website.
