The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
The doors of a new Spalding school will now not open for at least another year.
The Wellspring Academy Trust has confirmed that its planned April opening will now not take place.
The school, on Spalding’s Matmore Gate, will take 65 pupils who have been excluded from elsewhere, or who are deemed to be challenging.
Originally the opening date was scheduled for September 2018, then it was to be this month and now it is to be next January.
“Following delays in 2018, the trust now expects the Department for Education’s refurbishment works to conclude by December 2019, with the new school opening to pupils January 2020,” said a statement from the trust.
The news follows an article in last week’s Voice highlighting the lack of activity at the site, which is the former Post-16 Centre.
“We are pleased to be progressing towards our ambition of providing high-quality, inclusive provision in exceptional facilities for Lincolnshire learners. The Spalding school is one of four new Alternative Academies being established by Wellspring Academy Trust, as part of a £12m transformation of alternative education across the county. The three remaining academies will be based in Grantham, Lincoln and Mablethorpe.
“The trust will be in contact with neighbours and local schools as well as elected representatives over the coming months to provide a detailed update, following the conclusion of all procurement activities,” added the statement.
The plan was met with a barrage of complaints when first revealed with residents concerned about traffic, parking and security.
There was also controversy when the trust did not originally include Spalding among a list of venues for consultation meetings.
This was rectified after a public outcry.
