Children make their mark as £13m school takes shape
A specialist school which supports children with severe learning and physical difficulties has started to take shape as construction work officially began on its steel framework.
Asthenewschoollooksset to make its mark on the education of Wearside pupils, it was the children’s chance to make their mark on the new construction.
While foundation works at Sunningdale School’s new £13.3m building started in the summer, there’s growing anticipation as the steel girders begin to be slotted into place.
To mark the occasion, there was an official steel signing with pupils and staff inscribing their names into the framework.
After enjoying a tour of the site with some of the school’s children, headteacher James Waller said: "It was amazing to see the site and spend time with the children there.
"Thesenseofaweandwonder the children experienced being on the site and surroundedbytheopenstructure of the building was amazing.
"Theyweresoproudtosign the steel frame and enjoyed seeing the large machinery in operation.Ithelpedbuildarealsenseofownershipforthem of their new school.
“The new building will have the space and facilities to continue to grow and develop our provision for some of the city’s most vulnerable children.”
The new state-of-the-art school has floor space equivalent to about two football
pitches, allowing bigger classrooms, extra hall and therapy provisionsincludingrebound therapy, hydrotherapy, light and sensory facilities and soft play.
Every class will also have a storage area for mobility equipment which may be needed for the pupils with physical disabilities.
Also signing the steel was Sunderland City Council's CabinetMemberforChildren, EducationandSkills,Councillor Louise Farthing, who said: "I think we can all agree that
childrenandstudentsdeserve the very best education and the very best facilities.
"Sunningdale looks after someofthecity’smostvulnerable young people. These are children who absolutely deserve this investment as it will allowthemtoenjoyastimulating environment that is built to meet their needs.
"There’s exceptional care and support from everyone at the school and the new building and all its facilities will ensurethatpupilsaresupported with the very best.
"It’s a great honour to be here today making our mark, quite literally, as we sign the steel and look to Sunningdale's opening in 2022."
Dan Doherty, Regional Director at Kier Regional Building North and Scotland, who are leading the construction, added: "The steel signing event marks an exciting point of the project and the commencement of the assembly of the steel frame.
"The team on site have worked incredibly hard to get to this point and now the building works have passed this pivotal point, we can reallystarttoseewhatabrilliant assetthisnewschoolwillbeto the community."
Thenewschool,constructedatClintonPlace,Doxford,is partoftheCityCouncil’s£45m programmeofschoolupdates which has also included the constructionofthenew-build £5.3m Willow Wood Primary School and work is soon to commence on the new £6.7m Hetton Primary School.
Theschoolisduetoopenin September 2022.