Wandsworth’s commitment to enhancing specialist education for children and young people with complex special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) has reached a significant milestone with the official handover of keys for the new Paddock Secondary and Sixth Form School building. Located on Broadwater Road in Tooting, this purpose-built facility represents a substantial advancement in the council’s strategy to provide high-quality, local SEND provision.
A New Era for Paddock School
The state-of-the-art building, meticulously designed with accessibility and effective learning environments at its core, is set to open its doors to students at the commencement of the 2025/26 academic year. This expansion will enable Paddock School to accommodate a greater number of pupils within a fully inclusive setting, playing a pivotal role in the council’s broader SEND strategy. The new facility underscores Wandsworth’s dedication to increasing local, high-quality placements and consequently reducing the need for students to travel out of the borough for specialized support.
Commitment to Sustainability and Longevity
Emphasizing a forward-thinking approach, the new Paddock School building has been constructed to be Net-Zero. This means it operates entirely free from reliance on fossil fuels and is built for enduring longevity. This sustainable design ensures that Paddock School can continue to offer an exceptional level of education to the local community for many years to come.
A celebratory ceremony was held today, August 1, to mark the successful completion of the construction phase. Preparations are now in full swing to facilitate the smooth transition of both staff and students into the new premises starting in September.
Vision for Enhanced SEND Services
Judi Gasser, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, highlighted the significance of the new building as a tangible embodiment of the council’s new SEND Strategy. “This building exemplifies the new SEND Strategy in action,” Gasser stated, emphasizing the strategy’s core tenets: focusing on earlier support, expanding local provision, and creating inclusive spaces. The expansion of Paddock School is intrinsically linked to a long-term investment in specialist education, aiming to bolster the number of high-quality local placements and minimize out-of-borough travel for essential support services.
Sarah Santos, Executive Headteacher of Paddock School, described the new building as the most transformational change the school has experienced in its history. This sentiment captures the profound impact the new facility is expected to have on the school’s ability to serve its students and the wider London community. This development is a key piece of London news for families navigating SEND services.
Future Outlook
The successful handover of the keys signifies a crucial step forward in delivering on the council’s promise of improved SEND services. As preparations continue for the September opening, the new Paddock Secondary and Sixth Form School building stands as a beacon of progress, promising a more inclusive and supportive educational future for young people with complex needs in Wandsworth.
