New SEND provision reaches key milestone
A topping out ceremony recently took place at Dell Primary School in Lowestoft to celebrate the progress of the new Specialist Resource Base for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
Dell Primary School, part of Evolution Academy Trust, is set to open its new facilities in September 2026. The project team, pupils, teachers and members of the Trust gathered at the site to mark this significant occasion.
This new unit is part of Suffolk County Council's £55 million investment to create over 1,250 new SEND placements across the county. It will include a new classroom, a group room, a staff workroom, associated washrooms, a cleaner's store and a plant room, with the capacity to accommodate 12 pupils.
Andrew Reid, Cabinet Member for Education and SEND at Suffolk County Council, said: “This unit will make a significant difference to SEND families in the community and will be a great asset to the school. We set out in 2019 to provide more than 1,250 new specialist placements for SEND pupils across the county. I am pleased that this important milestone has been reached, and I am looking forward to visiting the unit when it opens for pupils in September.”
The unit will be a Communication and Interaction Specialist Resource Base (SRB), representing a united mission to provide a happy, inclusive and inspiring environment where children feel safe, valued, and motivated to learn, reflecting the ethos of the school and Trust.
Gemma Hurren, Executive Headteacher of Dell Primary School, said: "We are excited to reach this milestone in the building of the new Specialist Resource Base at our school. We are looking forward to welcoming children to our SRB, addressing the needs of children from across our local and wider community”.
Concertus, working with Brooks & Wood, has designed this standalone block with a flat roof, constructed with facing brickwork to match the existing school building.
Charles Coulson, Associate Director at Concertus, said: “We are pleased to be supporting the council with their investment in providing new SEND places across the county. Our team have worked closely with the school and Trust to ensure an exceptional standard is provided to support these new education facilities".
Stuart Boardley, Director at Brooks & Wood Ltd, said: “Brooks & Wood are privileged once again to partner with Concertus to deliver this vital SEND scheme on behalf of Suffolk County Council. The forthcoming completion of this scheme marks another significant milestone in our commitment to supporting local education and community growth. We look forward to seeing the immediate benefits it will bring to pupils, families, and the wider community for generations to come.”
New artificial grass soft play and asphalt hard play areas will be created, accompanied by external canopies, to help elevate the learning environment for children by encouraging outdoor learning. The unit location allows for exclusive vehicular drop off and pedestrian access to be created.