A newly-built specialist special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) unit in a Suffolk town has welcomed its first pupils through its doors.
The Abbey, located on the Sybil Andrews Academy site in Rougham Tower Avenue, Bury St Edmunds, will support Key Stage 3 and 4 pupils with two new classrooms, specialist group rooms and outdoor learning areas.
Joe Pointon, head of school, said: "The Abbey is a wonderful learning environment with bright and airy classrooms, an outdoor learning area and break-out spaces.
"Pupils will follow a broad curriculum which will prepare them for their adult life beyond school.
"Some pupils will do all of their lessons exclusively in The Abbey, but some pupils will come to the main school for certain subjects when appropriate."
The Abbey's opening was marked with a ribbon cutting ceremony which was attended by representatives from the school, Suffolk County Council, Unity Schools Partnership, Concertus and Barnes Construction.
Andrew Reid, cabinet member for education and SEND at Suffolk County Council, said: "I am pleased to see the difference that Suffolk County Council’s SEND capital investment is having in creating additional specialist places in the county.
"It’s wonderful that pupils will start the school year in a brand-new building."
Charles Coulson, associate director at Concertus, said: "We are extremely proud to have played a key role in creating The Abbey.
"We are dedicated to supporting Suffolk County Council in creating peaceful and inspiring environments that enable students to develop independence and self-confidence."
Damien Kerry, associate divisional director at Barnes Construction, added: "The completion of this project is another significant milestone in the development of the overall campus, a journey that we are extremely happy to have been involved with since 2015 when we began work on the first teaching block."
Pupils will be taught a mix of core lessons and life skills such as banking, catering and road safety at The Abbey.
Unity Schools Partnership, of which Sybil Andrews Academy is a member school, has opened similar SEND hubs this month in Ipswich and Felixstowe as well as operating others in Haverhill, Sudbury and Newmarket.
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