£13 million Croydon school for 150 children set to open this September
By Tara O’Connor, local democracy reporter
A new special needs school in Croydon will open its doors this September.
At the end of September Addington Valley Academy will welcome pupils into its permanent £13 million home in Field Way, New Addington.
The school opened in September 2020 with 23 year 7 pupils at a temporary site in Canterbury Road.
It will have 150 places for children and young people aged two to 19 years old.
In a video tour of the new school, Croydon Council’s cabinet member for children, young people and learning, Alisa Flemming, says it will reduce the number of children being sent out of borough for their education.
Councillor Flemming said: “We have too many children that because of a lack of available spaces are having to travel outside of the borough to attend provision, now we’ve got 150 spaces for local Croydon children.”
The new school includes cooking facilities for young people to learn how to cook and facilities for young people to practice to learn the skills to live independently. It will also have a sensory garden and soft play area.
Cllr Flemming added: “I’m super excited to come back here when the children and young people are resident in their new school and can enjoy the experience there.”
The free school is run by the Orchard Hill Academy Trust and specialises in autism and complex needs.
The video can be viewed here:
Next month, @OHCandAT will open the new Addington Valley Academy building for students with autism aged 2-19. This week @Cllr_Alisa, cabinet member for children, young people and learning, was given a tour with principal John Reilly. @kierconstruct pic.twitter.com/YVUrGx6S1j
— Your Croydon (@yourcroydon) August 27, 2021
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