Springwell Alternative Academy Spalding on course to open in January 2020, says leader

The leader of a new school due to open in Spalding next year has revealed plans to welcome pupils and the public to the site.

Phil Willott, executive principal of Springwell Alternative Academy Spalding, confirmed that the school for children outside of mainstream education is on course to open in January 2020.

The school will be based at the former South Holland Post 16 Centre in Matmore Gate where work started during the summer to convert it into a building where up to 63 children, aged from four to 16, will be taught.

Mr Willott said: "We'll take ownership of the site just before Christmas, ready for the school to open in January.

"The classes will be spread over two floors, with the majority of the primary age classes on the ground floor, along with additional learning areas for pupils to access.

"We'll have Key Stage 3 and 4 pupils on the first floor where they will have access to a multi-function classroom allowing science, technology and arts lessons to take places."

"Pupils will also have access to a fully-functional kitchen where they can study food-related courses and develop important life skills.

Pupils at Springwell, part of the South Yorkshire-based Wellspring Academy Trust, are currently taught at a temporary site in Boston.

But they will have their first look at their new school on December 8 when an arts events will be held at the Matmore Gate site, with the construction firm responsible for converting the building also taking part.

There will also be an open morning on January 8, between 10am and noon, when members of the public will be shown round Springwell's new site.

Mr Willott said: "We have a full staff complement ready for January and they are currently working with our young people, delivering the curriculum at our temporary site in Boston.

"In January, it'll be a case of moving our young people and staff to the new building where they will continue with their learning and development.

"In order not to add further to existing traffic pressures within the area, the start and finish times of the school day will be slightly different to that of our other academies.

"These timings will hopefully work for the community, while also meeting the needs of our young people."

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