THE number of special educational needs and disabilities school places will nearly double once Lexden Springs' expansion is complete next September.

Capacity at the Colchester school, in Halstead Road, will rise from 120 to 200 pupils after its £18.8 million overhaul.

Morgan Sindall has been appointed to deliver the project which includes 30 boarding places for pupils, extensive car parking and landscaping works to the new school.

Saul Humphrey, managing director of Morgan Sindall’s east region, said: “Essex County Council’s record investment in developing the region’s special education needs facilities is testament to its commitment to transforming the teaching provisions in place for children with SEND learning requirements.

“The new facilities will have a great impact on Lexden Springs, creating an inspiring and modern place for children to learn and enjoy their educational journey.

"The additional space will be a great boost to the school, allowing even more children across the region to benefit from the school’s outstanding teaching.”

Lexden Springs’ expansion is part of the authority’s plans to spend up to £115 million on creating more than 400 new SEND places across Essex.

The record investment, which includes £42 million from the Essex Schools Forum, comes after an increase in the number of children in the county being diagnosed with autism, and a surge in demand for SEND places.

Enlarging the school will reduce the need for children to be educated at independent schools or outside of Essex.

Education boss, Essex councillor Ray Gooding, said: “We're making great progress in our commitment to ensuring all pupils in Essex receive the best possible education, and that there's enough capacity within the county’s schools to meet every child’s individual needs.

“Plans to relocate Lexden Springs School have been in the pipeline for a long time and I'm very pleased we're working with Morgan Sindall to deliver this project."

Lexden Springs will relocate to a new state-of-the-art campus on the former Heath School site in Winstree Road, Stanway.

The new building will have two separate entrances, with one specifically designed for use by minibuses and taxis to drop off and collect pupils.

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