Topic Education
Date 20 Dec 2023
Galliford Try’s Building Southern business has successfully handed over the new Bloxham Grove Academy to The Gallery Trust on behalf of the Department for Education, in time for the new term opening in January 2024.
Bloxham Grove Academy is a new special free school, for students aged seven to 18 with cognitive, learning, social, emotional and Autism spectrum needs. In response to the local demand for additional special schools, The Gallery Trust, a Multi Academy Trust, dedicated to providing outstanding education and support for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) will operate the new school.
The facility, designed by ADP Architecture, provides external spaces to all sides of the building, and includes secure social spaces adjacent to classrooms, as well as outdoor dining areas. The classrooms are arranged within clusters that reflect restorative behaviour needs, including calming spaces and simple signage and visuals to avoid overstimulation.
Alongside the teaching spaces, the new hall will be available for use by the community, outside of school hours. The external areas include a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA), external hard play areas, sensory gardens, and kitchen gardens, grassed sports fields, and dog walking areas where students can engage in therapeutic sessions with pets.
Gavin Bridge, Managing Director for Galliford Try Building Southern, commented: “This school is another great example of Galliford Try's strong track record in providing high-quality SEND schools across the country. The school has been built with the needs of the pupils at its forefront, incorporating a number of features that provide students with specialist support to meet their needs, and we are delighted to have played our part in delivering it.”