New SEND provision opens at Dell Primary School

Dell Primary School in Lowestoft has officially opened The Orchard, a new specialist SEND unit designed to support children with speech, language, and communication needs.

Staff, pupils, members of Evolution Academy Trust, and project partners gathered to celebrate the milestone with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the school.

Katie Lawson, Director of School Improvement for Evolution Academy Trust, said: “As a Trust, we are passionate about inclusion and helping children to thrive. This wonderful new provision at Dell Primary is the latest stage of widening the offer across our Trust for children with SEND, and I know that every child who attends will truly benefit from their time here.”

The Orchard has been created as a Communication and Interaction Specialist Resource Base (SRB), providing a dedicated learning environment tailored to the needs of children who require specialist support while still benefiting from being part of the wider school community.

Cllr Tony Gould, Cabinet Member for Education and SEND at Suffolk County Council, said: "The opening of The Orchard is another important step in our commitment to improving opportunities for children and young people with SEND in Suffolk. Through our £55 million SEND capital investment programme, we are creating more than 1,250 additional specialist places in local communities, helping more children access the support they need closer to home. The Orchard will provide a high-quality environment where children with speech, language and communication needs can thrive, develop confidence and achieve their potential, and I am delighted to see it officially open."

The facility includes a new classroom, group room, staff workroom, associated washrooms, a cleaner's store, and plant room, providing capacity for up to 12 pupils.

The name The Orchard was chosen to reflect growth and opportunity for the children who will learn there. It also honours the school's heritage, drawing inspiration from Dell Primary School's tree logo and the site's history as Amy's Orchard, a space created in memory of a former member of the school community.

Sam Keeler, Acting Headteacher at Dell Primary School, said: “It was an absolute honour to officially open The Orchard. This new provision is such a valuable addition to our school, providing an opportunity for us to support the local community by offering places for children with speech, language and communication needs. We look forward to welcoming more pupils to the Dell family over the years to come.”

Concertus worked alongside Brooks & Wood to deliver the new facility, carefully designed to complement the existing school while providing high-quality spaces tailored to the needs of its pupils.

Charles Coulson, Associate Director at Concertus, said: “Working collaboratively with Suffolk County Council, Evolution Academy Trust and Dell Primary School, our aim has been to create an environment that supports the needs of every pupil and helps them feel confident, engaged and ready to learn. It is incredibly rewarding to see The Orchard now open and providing specialist spaces that will have a lasting positive impact on children, families and the wider school community."

Stuart Boardley, Director at Brooks & Wood Ltd, said: “Being able to play such an integral role in delivering this scheme alongside our long-term partners, Concertus, Suffolk County Council, and other key stakeholders has been fantastic. Seeing the new provision in use and the positive difference it is making for both pupils and staff highlights the shared commitment to creating exceptional environments where young people can learn and thrive. Seeing that impact first-hand makes the hard work and dedication of everyone involved truly worthwhile.”

Alongside the new building, dedicated soft-play and hard-play areas, covered external spaces, and improved access arrangements have been created to support a variety of learning, wellbeing and recreational activities. These spaces have been designed to encourage outdoor learning, independence and engagement throughout the school day.