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Bourne Education Trust is proud to celebrate the opening of two new state-of-the-art buildings at Philip Southcote School, a specialist SEND school for students aged 11 to 19 in Addlestone. These purpose-built spaces - which include a modern teaching block and a cutting-edge hydrotherapy pool - were officially unveiled this month at a special ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by students, families, staff, project partners and local dignitaries.

Thanks to an £11.1 million investment from Surrey County Council, the expansion provides 27 new school places and upgrades provision for 24 existing students. Designed and delivered in partnership with Morgan Sindall Construction and consultants Pellings, the new facilities will transform learning, care and support at the school.

The new teaching block brings English, maths, ICT and specialist hearing-impaired provision into one high-quality, cohesive space - complete with the latest technology, soundproofing and accessible design throughout. Meanwhile, the new 12 x 6 metre hydrotherapy pool features hydromassage areas and carbon-reduction technology, aligning with both student wellbeing and Surrey’s net zero ambitions.

The Deputy Mayor of Runnymede, Margaret Harnden, officially opened the buildings alongside students who proudly showed their families around their new classrooms.

The project marks the first completion under the Southern Construction Framework’s fifth generation (SCF5), which supports public sector developments across the region. In addition to offering innovative, inclusive learning environments, the buildings also deliver strong environmental performance - with photovoltaic panels and an energy-efficient pool reducing carbon emissions by up to 45%.

Councillor Clare Curran, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Lifelong Learning said, 'We are thrilled that the students of Philip Southcote School can now benefit from these outstanding new facilities. Our goal is to provide local children with additional needs and disabilities the best opportunities for improved outcomes, helping them feel included, transition successfully into adulthood, and receive high-quality education closer to home. Our commitment extends across the county, aiming to increase the number of locally available maintained specialist school places from approximately 3,700 to up to 5,760 by 2030. My thanks go to our Education and Land and Property Teams, Morgan Sindall, Pellings, Bourne Education Trust, Mr Jerwood and Philip Southcote School, and all others involved in the project.'

Mr Jerwood, headteacher of Philip Southcote School said, 'Having the classrooms all together in this wonderful new building means our departments can work much more cohesively. We’ve got English, maths, ICT and our deaf pupil provision set up much more effectively for our learners, complete with the latest technology and soundproofing. One of our students described it as tranquil, which is fantastic for a learning space.' 

Penny Alford, Deputy CEO of Bourne Education Trust said, 'It was a real pleasure to have a tour around the new Philip Southcote building and talk to students about the design and impact of the project. I was struck by how ensuring dignity for all students, at all times, was at the heart of all the decision-making. Students and staff are clearly very proud and excited about the next stage for the school.'

Marc Kimpton, Senior Associate at Pellings said, 'It has been an absolute pleasure to be part of the project team and to help deliver such a fantastic outcome for the students and staff at Philip Southcote School. I have been fortunate to be involved since 2021, initially supporting the refurbishment of The Meads, followed by the main school expansion. This has been a complex and rewarding project, with works taking place across much of the existing site, alongside the construction of a new teaching block and hydrotherapy pool, as well as improvements to the adjacent fire station. Throughout, the team has faced numerous challenges, but thanks to a strong, solutions-focused partnership between project management and the contractor, Morgan Sindall, we’ve successfully delivered two outstanding buildings and a transformed external environment – creating a space where current and future students can truly thrive.'

Paul Holden, Senior Preconstruction Manager for Morgan Sindall Construction in the Southern Home Counties, said, 'It’s fantastic to see the completion of the SEND teaching block and hydrotherapy pool at Philip Southcote School, where our work in collaboration with Surrey County Council, Pellings, and many others will help to support the next generation of students with additional needs and disabilities. These vibrant, high-quality educational environments signify a key investment in the future of Addlestone and the wider Surrey community, meeting the needs of local families. 

The whole team is exceptionally proud of this state-of-the-art school, and we can’t wait to see the students settle in and start learning through these specialist facilities.'

Further details about the project can be found here.

Read coverage from BBC News here.