Substantial funding sees teaching facility improvements for students at special educational needs school
A special turf-cutting ceremony marked that construction work is well underway at The Brookfield School, Grandstand Road, Hereford.
The £4.5 million improvement project began during the summer holidays and will see the construction of a new sports hall, teaching block and internal alterations to improve the teaching facilities.
Speller Metcalfe Malvern Ltd were appointed in June 2024 to carry out the work on behalf of the council following a successful tender.
The improvement work reflects the council’s commitment to providing high quality and sustainable education facilities for children and young people in Herefordshire with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The improvement works are due for completion in time for the new intake of students in September 2025.
“We are pleased that the improvement works at Brookfield School has started, as it will ensure that next year pupils and staff at the school will benefit from having an improved modern learning and working environment that will meet their needs. This project is part of an ongoing £12 million programme to improve and increase places for the children of Herefordshire with special educational needs and disabilities.”
Councillor Ivan Powell, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, added:
“It’s great to see the improvement works have started at Brookfield School. This project is testament to our commitment to provide the best possible school facilities for Herefordshire children with SEND.”
Headteacher of Brookfield School, Michelle Parkes, said:
“I would like to personally thank our officers and partners who have been working in challenging circumstances to bring this project to fruition. This is an exciting period for the Brookfield School, firstly joining the Mercian Education Trust in April this year and now ‘cutting the turf’ for our new facilities.
“This significant investment means that our wonderful pupils will get an enriched curriculum offer, as well as access to better breakout and play facilities. The pupil council are really excited to see the work started; previous pupils were involved in the design and we will welcome them back to see the changes in just twelve months’ time.
“This build reflects our ongoing commitment to providing a rich curriculum which develops our pupils’ confidence and gives them skills for life and ensuring that our facilities meet the needs of our growing school community.”
Dafydd Lawday, CEO of the Mercian Trust, which Brookfield School is part of, said that:
“Our focus on converting Brookfield School has been to finally deliver these much needed improvements. I am delighted that we are now able to see construction getting underway and that funding has been secured to deliver these vital changes for the school.”
Mark Eaton, Director at Speller Metcalfe, added:
“We’re delighted to celebrate the commencement of work on site at Brookfield School. We have a longstanding history working across Herefordshire, and are pleased to be delivering another scheme which is set to benefit the local community.”
