A brand new £1million extension will help a Warwickshire specialist school offer more places for children with special educational needs as well as enhance its ‘best-in-class’ facilities for existing pupils.

Arc School Ansley, based near Nuneaton, is part of Kedleston Group. The school supports children who are autistic and has seen demand for places continue to increase over recent years. The new facilities will allow an additional 15 children to attend the school.

Construction work, carried out by Stirlin, began in the summer. Recently completed, it includes two new buildings with state-of-the-art facilities including a large music room with in-house recording studio, three new classrooms, external play areas, changing facilities and an outdoor learning space as well as refurbishment of existing classrooms at the school.

A special ribbon-cutting event was held to celebrate the completion of the project and the school welcomed VIP guest The Rt Hon Mr Marcus Jones, MP for Nuneaton, to officially open the extended facilities. He was given a guided tour by some of the school’s pupils including the Chair of the school’s Student Council, who also gave a short speech, praising the new building.

The Rt Hon Mr Marcus Jones MP said: “This is a wonderful school in a beautiful setting. It is a place where children can be supported and educated in the best possible environment that can be provided, and one which absolutely meets their needs. It has been great to come and meet the children and see the facilities the school offers, which are first class. Specialist schools like this are so important and so needed.”

Nyree Parker, Headteacher at Arc School Ansley, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Marcus to the school. The pupils and team very much enjoyed meeting him and were proud to show him around the school and its brand new facilities.

“Investment such as this means that Ansley continues to evolve into a centre of excellence for autistic children. Through continued support from Kedleston Group, we have been able to expand and create new facilities for our children such as a football pitch, apiary and these fantastic new buildings.

“The expansion means that we are able to offer an excellent educational provision and support to 15 more children who have been unable to thrive in the general education system. Children deserve fantastic facilities, an excellent education, nurturing support and to be given the chance to achieve their very best and that is what we as a school strive to do every day.

“We were delighted to be working alongside Stirlin on this exciting project which will allow us to offer much-needed additional places for young people with special educational needs.”

Laura Barnett, Project Manager, at Stirlin said: “It has been a pleasure to work with Cynergi and Kedleston Group to deliver the important new educational facilities for Arc School.

This project represents a significant milestone for Stirlin, as we deliver another successful external contract, highlighting our capabilities to deliver excellence in a wide variety of sectors.

It is brilliant to see the new learning spaces now being enjoyed by the deserving pupils and the staff, who will greatly benefit from the school’s new facilities.”

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