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This marks completion of the £18m construction project, which will take Baytree from a single site catering to 72 children with profound and complex learning difficulties, to two-sites offering around 120 school places. The additional school places provided by the site are vital in helping meet rising local demand, enabling more children to access SEND schooling in their local area.
The new learning spaces are bright and spacious and have been carefully tailored to meet a range of different needs. Adaptations inside the building include integral hoists for children with limited mobility, a hydrotherapy pool, sensory rooms and provision across a single storey for those unable to use stairs.
Councillor Catherine Gibbons, Deputy Leader of North Somerset and Executive Member for Children’s Services, said: “Together with Baytree pupils and staff, we’ve watched this new school building take shape, so it’s fantastic to see it finally finished.
“These facilities are purpose built and state of the art, with a restful atmosphere that will be hugely beneficial for children with SEND. Seeing the smiles of the first learners through the doors today demonstrates what a difference this project will make and what an important investment this is for inclusion in our local area.
“Inclusion has played a key role in construction and the children have come along with us on the journey, helping decorate steel beams that are now in the roof and lay bricks that form the outside walls. Now the building is ready, learners can enjoy a smooth transition into their new classrooms as they start to make the space their own. It has been such a worthwhile journey to get to this point and I feel both proud and privileged to have been a part of it!”
“I’d like to thank everyone involved in making this project a reality, along with Baytree staff and our contractors at Willmott Dixon. Seeing what we’ve achieved, I am certain that the expansion of Baytree School will be of real value to children and families for many years to come.
Ed Bowen-Roberts, Headteacher at Baytree School, said, “We are delighted to finally take occupancy of our new incredible provision. It has been quite a journey to get here, but now we can begin to transition learners who will all greatly benefit from the state-of-the-art facilities, especially the wonderful new hydrotherapy pool, sensory rooms and learning spaces. We are all really excited to grow, develop and establish ourselves within the Clevedon community.”
Richard Jones, Director at Willmott Dixon, added, “As a team we are very proud of what we have achieved at Baytree School. Working closely throughout construction with North Somerset and Baytree School we have been committed to ensuring that we deliver the highest quality facilities for children with the most complex needs. We have a great deal of experience in delivering SEND projects and a long-standing relationship with North Somerset. This collaborative relationship has resulted in this wonderful facility that will allow its pupils a space to flourish.”
Now that construction of the expansion of Baytree School has been completed, staff will start moving in ready for learners to transition into new classrooms over the course of the remaining school year.