7th June 2022
New Woodlands Meed College is taking shape
ISG recently celebrated the progress of the Woodlands Meed College project, with a special milestone event, held at the Burgess Hill special school.
College pupils, teachers, and governors from West Sussex County Council including leader Paul Marshall, Cabinet Member for Learning & Skills Nigel Jupp and other Council representatives, along with Mid Sussex MP Mims Davies and architect Haverstock all joined the event to mark the milestone.
The County Council is leading and funding the £21.6m project to create much-improved facilities for 100 college pupils who have special educational needs and disabilities. ISG was commissioned to construct the new college through the Southern Construction Framework.
At the event, a ceremonial spade was presented to college pupils Nathan Martin, Niamh Newman and William Jeffrey before they were then given a tour of the site.
Nathan said: “I think it’s good, it’s going to make a big difference to lots of people for a long time.”
Speaking at the ceremony, Woodlands Meed head Adam Rowland said: “It’s brilliant that we’ve got William, Nathan and Niamh here to see this project and represent key stages three, four and five. The legacy that this building will provide for those pupils to provide the right environment, the right space for them to develop and grow and thrive is so, so important.”
Construction began in late November 2021 and in six months, the ground works have progressed well, with the foundations for the new college building laid. A new hydrotherapy swimming pool is nearing completion and other specialist facilities including all-weather pitches, a sports hall, bigger classrooms, outside play areas, gym and an amphitheatre will all be emerging in the coming months.
Nigel Jupp, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Learning and Skills said: “A major part of our work is towards special schools, Woodlands Meed being one of the most successful and a great example to all our other schools.
