New SEND hub opens on grounds of Sybil Andrews Academy - Barnes Construction

A new specialist SEND unit in Bury St Edmunds has welcomed its first pupils. The Abbey, which is on the same site as Sybil Andrews Academy, will support Key Stage 3 and 4 pupils in two new classrooms, specialist group rooms and outdoor learning spaces.

The official opening of ‘The Abbey’ was marked with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by representatives from the school, Suffolk County Council, Unity Schools Partnership, Concertus and Barnes Construction.

Joe Pointon, Head of School, said he was delighted to see the new building open and pupils enjoying the new hub.
He said:

“The Abbey is a wonderful learning environment with bright and airy classrooms, an outdoor learning area and break-out spaces.

“Pupils will follow a broad curriculum which will prepare them for their adult life beyond school. Some pupils will do all of their lessons exclusively in The Abbey, but some pupils will come to the main school for certain subjects when appropriate.”

Pupils across all age groups will be taught a mix of core lessons and life skills such as banking, catering and road safety.

Cllr Andrew Reid, Cabinet Member for Education and SEND at Suffolk County Council, said:

“I am pleased to see the difference that Suffolk County Council’s SEND capital investment is having in creating additional specialist places in the county. It’s wonderful that pupils will start the school year in a brand-new building.”

The design also includes carefully planned outdoor spaces with canopies that will help elevate the learning environment for the children by encouraging outdoor learning.

Charles Coulson, Associate Director at Concertus, said,

“We are extremely proud to have played a key role in creating The Abbey. We are dedicated to supporting Suffolk County Council in creating peaceful and inspiring environments that enable students to develop independence and self-confidence.”

Damien Kerry, Associate Divisional Director at Barnes Construction, added:

“The completion of this project is another significant milestone in the development of the overall campus, a journey that we are extremely happy to have been involved with since 2015 when we began work on the first teaching block. It has been fantastic to once again work with Suffolk County Council and Concertus to produce another quality facility for the local area, the new building and external areas look amazing and are a real credit to all those involved.”

Unity Schools Partnership, of which Sybil Andrews Academy is a member school, have opened similar SEND hubs this month in Ipswich and Felixstowe as well as operating others in Haverhill.