Completion in sight as £45m specialist academy in Leeds tops out

Construction work on a new £45m specialist school in Leeds is close to completion.

International construction group Interserve has been on site at Springwell Leeds Specialist Academy since September 2016, delivering three new buildings that will house teaching areas, sensory rooms, outside learning areas, sports pitches and multi-use games areas.

A topping out ceremony for the last building of the estate was held on Friday (September 29).

The new school, run by the Wellspring Academy Trust, will serve as a learning environment for pupils aged between four and 19 with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs.

Leeds City Council covered the cost of the £45m project, working collaboratively with Wellspring, Leeds Local Education Partnership and Interserve to meet the requirements of Wellspring’s SEMH delivery model and SEMH pupils.

The council’s Executive Member for Children and Families, Cllr Lisa Mulherin, said: “It is great to see the buildings progressing and on track to open next year.

“This is an exciting time for specialist learning provision within the city, and the £45m investment demonstrates our commitment to ensuring all pupils are supported to succeed and reach their full potential.”

She added: “This new specialist provision will radically improve the learning, support and outcomes for some of the city’s most vulnerable children.”

Interserve divisional director John Gittins commented: “This school demonstrates a significant investment by Leeds City Council into the education of pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs in Leeds.

“Interserve has worked with Leeds City Council and the Leeds Education Partnership for several years to deliver numerous projects around the city and we look forward to continuing this relationship as the council continues to invest in its education facilities.”

All three new buildings are due to be ready in time for the 2018 academic year.