Stoke-on-Trent City Council has appointed Seddon Property Services as the main contractor for a new £11.5 million SEND satellite school, marking the latest major education investment in the city.
The scheme will deliver a purpose-built satellite facility for Watermill School, providing 70 specialist places for pupils with a range of learning difficulties. Construction is underway on the former Middlehurst School site on Turnhurst Road, with handover scheduled for July 2026 ahead of a September opening.
Working in collaboration with Glancy Nicholls Architects, ABA Consulting and Poole Dick, Seddon will deliver a highly specialised learning environment. The school is designed to support the educational, social, emotional, and physical development of pupils aged 3 to 16, with tailored support for moderate, severe, and multiple learning difficulties, as well as autism.
Lee Shaw, commercial manager at Seddon said: “This is a project we’re deeply proud to be delivering - not just because of the difference it will make to children and families, but because it represents a strong collaboration between experienced, regional partners. We’re excited to be on site and to see the vision start to take shape.”
The school is being funded through the Schools Capital Programme, forming part of a wider SEND education expansion strategy across Stoke-on-Trent.
Councillor Sarah Jane Colclough, cabinet member for education and anti-poverty said: “We’re committed to ensuring that children and young people with SEND have the right support, at the right time, delivered by the right people. Having more provision in local communities is central to that goal.”
Councillor Finlay Gordon McCusker, cabinet member for transport, infrastructure and regeneration, added: “This is a much-needed and long-anticipated development that shows our commitment to regeneration and inclusive growth. Seddon has been a key partner throughout the design phase, and we’re looking forward to seeing the building come to life.”
This partnership marks a significant step towards a more inclusive future for Stoke-on-Trent - where every child has the opportunity to learn and grow in a setting that truly meets their needs. Seddon has extensive experience in delivering quality SEND facilities to schools in the North West and the Midlands, including most recently, The Orchards school in Stretford and The Pines School in Birmingham.