State-of-the-art new special school is on track
Work is progressing on track on a new multi-million-pound school in Pensnett for children with complex needs.
The new Pens Meadow school will soon be weather-tight and classrooms, food technology, dining and nurses’ rooms are all taking shape.
Once complete, it will provide education for up to 155 children and young people aged 3 to 19, together with a nursery assessment unit for the borough.
The purpose-built building, designed by the council's corporate landlord's design team, and built by Interclass, will deliver better facilities for pupils with complex needs and severe learning difficulties, including autism and those with profound and multiple learning difficulties.
It will boast a modern hydrotherapy pool, while a rebound pit, a large trampoline sunk into the floor, is already in place and will promote exercise and help pupils develop motor skills.
It will also have therapy rooms, outdoor teaching and play areas, a forest school area and 14 larger classrooms where the layouts can be adapted for children with additional needs.
There is a focus on sustainability within the design, with PV panels for electricity and air source heat pumps to help heat the school.
Councillor David Stanley, Cabinet Member for children’s services said
“I'm delighted with the progress of the build. The new Pens Meadow Special School will, once complete, be an asset to the borough. I look forward to welcoming the children to their outstanding new facilities soon.”
Marie Hunter, Headteacher of Pens Meadow School, said:
“We recently ventured inside our new school. It was amazing to see the progress, sizes of the rooms and specialist areas.
“The home learning room is huge and the rebound room and hydrotherapy pool will offer amazing opportunities for pupils with physical needs.
"I am delighted to launch our latest video of the building works which can be viewed on our website for everyone to see. We can now really see how the new facilities will enhance the provision for our Pens Meadow Community.”
Des O’Neill, managing director of Interclass, said:
"We're excited to bring this cutting-edge facility to life, and achieving the milestone of making the building weather-tight is a significant step forward. We look forward to seeing how these new facilities will positively impact both the students and the broader community for years to come."
Construction is expected to be complete in the summer of 2025. The school is set to be fully operational in January 2026, with a phased transition for some of the pupils to the new site starting in the autumn of 2025.
For more information and to view a brand-new video visit https://www.pens-meadow.dudley.sch.uk/new-build/
Contact Information
Dudley Council
Notes to editors
pic shows: from left -
Cllr David Stanley, Marie Hunter, Head Teacher Pens Meadow, Rod Mills, Site Manager Interclass & Jacqueline Carolan, Service Manager, Integrated Early Years