New facilities open at SEND school

New teaching facilities and a hydrotherapy pool have opened at a special educational needs school in Surrey.

Philip Southcote School, in Addlestone, opened the two new buildings on Wednesday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The new teaching block features classrooms, an IT suite and additional facilities for hearing-impaired students.

Headteacher Lee Jerwood said: "Having the classrooms all together in this wonderful new building means our departments can work much more cohesively."

"One of our students described it as tranquil, which is fantastic for a learning space."

The facilities were built with an £11.1m investment from Surrey County Council.

The hydrotherapy pool offers carbon reductions of up to 45%, according to the council, and both buildings are fitted with solar panels.

The local authority's cabinet member for children, Clare Curran, added: "We are thrilled that the pupils of Philip Southcote School can now benefit from these outstanding new facilities."

Philip Southcote School has three form classes per year group and teaches pupils aged 11 to 19.

The new extension provides 27 additional school places, the council added.

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