New state-of-the-art special needs school officially opened

A brand-new special educational needs school in Mottram has been officially opened.

The newly built Hawthorns Primary School will provide 246 places for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Tameside. The new £23m facility off Manley Grove, managed by New Bridge Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) is four times larger than the old school site.

The children themselves expressed their delight with her new building at the grand unveiling held on December 6.

The school council told politicians and executives their love of the multi-coloured corridors, the bike track, the playground, as well as many other state-of-the-art facilities they now enjoy. 

The huge school site, built on the old Longdendale Playing Field, boasts bespoke classrooms designed with the children’s needs in mind, each with their own playground and outdoor spaces. The building also has specialised teaching areas for art, DT, ICT and life skills, as well as a library, sensory areas and a sports hall. 

A training and family room are also included on site.

Hawthorns School was originally designed to accommodate 60 pupils at its previous site, co- located with Aldwyn Primary School, Audenshaw. But the outstanding-rated school outgrew its capacity.

Those in attendance at the grand opening saw the red ribbon officially cut by the students themselves and got a tour of the new site.

Stalybridge and Hyde MP Jonathan Reynolds expressed his delight with the new school.

He said: “One of the most enjoyable and special days I’ve had as a local MP. We’ve needed in Tameside, like a lot of Greater Manchester and across the country, better SEND provision. Bringing together foresights into one big logistical challenge, it’s brilliant by the staff to manage to do this. It’s a huge step forward.

“I think, having children on the spectrum so understanding about this personally, there has been a lot of advances in society over the last couple of decades. But there are still some challenges and getting the educational provision right and providing something of this quality, it’s really special.

“This will be one of the things I will look back on and be so proud to see was built during my time as the local MP.”

The council has previously estimated the additional capacity would save the local authority millions of pounds per year by avoiding more expensive independent or out-of-borough placements for Tameside youngsters requiring SEND school places. 

Tameside Council’s executive leader, Coun Eleanor Wills said: “This state-of-the-art school is a shining example of co-production where the community pulled together to make their shared ambition a reality.

“For any parent or community to have a child, you want to make sure their needs are met so they can get the maximum opportunities. Having more of these is absolutely amazing, but to see this built in Tameside is brilliant.

“Every school, whether it be SEND or any other, should be about community. It was very obvious to see the students feel this is their community and their space that represents them. Hearing the students say which aspects they love the most demonstrates that. 

“My favourite part of it is the very fact it is here in this borough and hearing what it means to the parents and the children.”