Building work is ‘progressing so well’ at ‘important’ new Bury St Edmunds SEND unit at Sybil Andrews Academy

A new specialist SEND unit in Bury St Edmunds has moved a step closer with building work nearing a conclusion.

The new unit for 18 students with special educational needs and/or disabilities is named The Abbey and will open in September in the grounds of Sybil Andrews Academy on Moreton Hall.

Representatives from the school, Unity Schools Partnership (which runs the school), Suffolk County Council, Concertus and Barnes Construction recently visited the site to see the completed roof and watertight building.

Georgina Ellis, SEND director at Unity, which will run the unit, said: “We are delighted to see building work progressing so well on this important educational unit. We look forward to opening in September and welcoming our first cohort of students.”

The Abbey is a cognition and learning unit for pupils in Key Stages 3 and 4.

The new single-storey building will cater for students in two new classrooms and two new group rooms, and there will be office space for staff. The design also includes carefully-planned outdoor spaces to promote outdoor learning.

Andrew Reid, cabinet member for education and SEND at Suffolk County Council, said: “The Abbey is part of the County Council’s investment of £55 million in SEND provision across Suffolk.

“I am pleased that governors have had an opportunity to see the building work in progress and I am looking forward to visiting the unit when it opens in September.”

Charles Coulson, associate director at Concertus, who were the original design and property consultants of Sybil Andrews Academy, said: “We are passionate about supporting Suffolk County Council in creating calming and inspiring environments to allow pupils to develop independence and self-confidence.

“A highly-valued relationship has been created between the project team and the school over the past nine years so we are confident that the needs of the children will be met with the creation of the new unit. We are thrilled that the project is making fantastic progress.”