A £12 million purpose-built facility for students with special educational needs and disabilities has been officially opened at Queensway Academy in Telford.
Current and former chief executives of the Learning Community Trust, Paul Roberts and Gill Eatough MBE, cut a ribbon to formally open the new building on the Hortonwood campus.
Also in attendance were representatives from Queensway Academy, Telford & Wrekin Council, GMI Construction Group and project partners.
The 1,533 sq. metre building, delivered by GMI Construction Group, an independent UK contractor operating across the Midlands and the North of England, provides 60 places for SEND students.
Built next to the existing Queensway North site, it enables the academy to unite its provision on a single campus, creating a more unified learning environment.
It provides accessible and flexible teaching spaces for Key Stages 3 and 4, together with specialist classrooms for science, food technology, art, design technology and music. It also features dedicated therapy rooms, calm spaces and a central courtyard, all designed to support wellbeing and individual learning needs.
Covered outdoor learning areas support practical subjects including construction skills, horticulture and forest learning, while a multi-use games area, landscaped recreational spaces and purpose-designed outdoor areas provide opportunities for sport, physical activity and outdoor education.
The development allows students previously based at Queensway South in Dawley to relocate to Hortonwood, freeing up the Dawley site for use by one of the Learning Community Trust’s other specialist schools, Kickstart Academy.
Telford & Wrekin Council supported the project by acquiring land at Wheat Leasows in Hadley, paving the way for the new education facility. The land purchase was made possible through the Telford Land Deal, a partnership between Homes England and the council which allows land receipts to be reinvested into local infrastructure and growth projects.
Paul Jones, chief operating officer at LCT, said: “It’s wonderful to see this fantastic new facility officially open and brought to life by students and staff.
“Bringing Queensway’s provision together on one site creates a stronger, more cohesive school community and gives our young people access to exceptional facilities specifically designed around their needs.”
Councillor Shirley Reynolds, Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet member for children and young people, said: “This investment is a fantastic step forward for education in our area. By expanding Wheat Leasows, we will not only enhance the educational environment but also ensure that our children receive the best support possible. We are committed to investing in our future generations.”
Councillor Lee Carter, leader of Telford & Wrekin Council and chair of The Telford Land Deal, added: “Investing in education is investing in our community’s future. This project is not just about buildings; it’s about creating a supportive environment where our children can thrive. We are proud to work alongside LCT and other partners to make this vision a reality.”
Ali Ashley, director of special education at LCT, added: “This is a very special moment for Queensway Academy. Having all of our students together on one site strengthens our identity as one school with one vision, but most importantly it gives our pupils an environment that has been created specifically for them.”
Adam Taylor, GMI’s regional director for the Midlands, said: “This project is about much more than delivering a new building. Every element has been designed around the needs of Queensway’s students, creating an environment where they can learn, develop their independence and fulfil their potential.
“Queensway demonstrates what can be achieved when the school, Council, contractor and wider project team work openly towards a shared purpose. It is exactly the type of social infrastructure project GMI wants to deliver; one that is well-managed, responds to a genuine local need and creates a lasting benefit for the community.
“It has been a privilege to work alongside the Learning Community Trust and the wider team and particularly rewarding to return now that the building is complete and see what it means to students and staff.”
Jo Nugent, executive director for the Midlands at Homes England, said: “Through the Telford Land Deal, we are proud to have supported this project and helped unlock a site for much-needed specialist education provision. It is a great example of how partnership working can deliver lasting benefits for local communities.”
LCT operates more than a dozen schools across Shropshire and the Borough of Telford and Wrekin, employing more than 1,000 staff and providing education across primary, secondary and specialist settings.
