Stakeholders and community leaders gathered recently for the official groundbreaking ceremony of South View Academy, a purpose-built school designed to transform local provision for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The ceremony marks the start of a major construction phase by Bowmer + Kirkland, following significant investment from the Department for Education (DfE) and North Yorkshire Council. Once complete the Academy, operated by Wellspring Academy Trust, will provide 100 places for students aged 3 to 19, addressing a critical need for specialist education within the Selby area.
The project is the result of a close partnership between the Wellspring Trust, North Yorkshire Council, and the Department for Education (DfE). The collaboration seeks to ensure young people with SEND in the county have access to an outstanding provision; expanding opportunities and horizons through additional places, specialised support and exceptional facilities.
The project serves as an important step in fulfilling a vital commitment to local SEND families. The new school is the seventh project developed by the Trust in partnership with the DfE, expanding their mission to improve life chances through inclusive education.
Executive Principal Shona Crichton celebrated the step stating: “South View Academy represents a significant investment in the potential of our young people. This project ensures that high-quality, local provision is a reality for the families who need it most. We are proud to be creating a state-of-the-art setting designed specifically for SEND learners, allowing us to meet their needs in their local community.”
Mark Wilson, CEO of Wellspring, noted: “We are thrilled to bring South View Academy into our growing network of schools. Our mission is clear: to provide an engaging and ambitious education that supports every young person to succeed. For Wellspring, it is a privilege to serve these communities and a priority to ensure that every student’s future is brightened by our work.”
North Yorkshire Council’s Assistant Director for Education and Inclusion, Amanda Fielding, added: “We want schools to give every pupil the chance to grow, achieve and pursue their ambitions close to home, in a place that supports and celebrates them. Therefore, it’s incredibly exciting to see work begin on such an important space for our children and young people with specialist needs. Geographically we’re the largest rural county in the country and as a council we are dedicated to working with parents, school leaders and all partners to meet the special education needs of children and young people as close to their homes as possible. Breaking ground of this development is an important milestone and we’re really pleased to see the school build progressing.”
The Regional Director for construction partner Bowmer + Kirkland, Gus Kedzior, remarked: “We are absolutely delighted to be breaking ground on this new SEND school in North Yorkshire. It is a privilege to be delivering another high-quality scheme for the Department for Education and we’re proud to play our part in creating learning facilities that will support pupils, staff, and the wider community for years to come. South View Academy represents a major step forward for children and families in the area. It’s exciting to start construction on a project that will provide tailored support, specialist resources and a nurturing environment for pupils who need it most.”
Keir Mather, MP for Selby, was also in attendance at the ceremony. He commented: “It was truly an honour to take part in the ground-breaking ceremony at South View Academy, I cannot wait to see the transformational difference that this will make for the children who attend. I fully understand that this school alone won’t solve every challenge with local provision, and I’m committed to working with the Government as it redesigns SEND education nationally to make sure it provides improved outcomes for young people across Selby and the rest of the country. But the difference this school will make to so many local children is enormous, and that’s why it was my proudest moment as Selby’s MP. Credit must go to all the SEND parents who pushed so hard to make it a reality.”
With construction now underway, work will continue throughout the coming months. The Academy, set to open in 2027, will form an important part of the Osgodby community, providing a nurturing and engaging setting where young people can reach their full potential close to home.
