Construction of the second site of Baytree School in Clevedon is well underway after the completion of the building's steel frame.

On Friday, pupils and staff joined North Somerset Council and project contractors, Willmott Dixon, for a ceremony to mark completion of the building’s steel frame.

Baytree will be transformed from a single site that caters to 72 children with profound and complex learning difficulties, to two-sites offering around 120 school places. This will help to meet the rising demand for school places.

Councillor Catherine Gibbons, Executive Member for Children’s Services and Lifelong Learning, said: “It’s fantastic to welcome in a new year with a celebration of all of the progress made at Baytree so far.  

“This project is expected have a hugely positive impact on local pupils, meeting rising demand for school places and providing increased numbers of young people with access to education, independence and inclusion.

“Not only have they been able to join us today, but they have had exciting opportunities to experience construction from the safety of the classroom, feeling sensory boards filled with concrete, pipes and soil, whilst enjoying a 360-degree film projected to their classrooms walls, each bringing the sights and sounds of the building site to life.”

Ed Bowen-Roberts, the Headteacher at Baytree School, said: “As a school community, we are so thrilled to see the progress to date.

“All of our learners have really enjoyed being a part of the process, especially the interactive workshops, which really helped to bring the build to life. As a school community we are all looking forward to being involved in the interior design and ensuring the new school campus meets our learners needs, now and in the future."

Richard Jones, Director at Willmott Dixon, adds, “We have a long standing, collaborative relationship with North Somerset Council, and we are delighted to have reached this milestone on the build of Baytree School.

“Working with the council and the school, we are committed to delivering the highest quality facilities for children with the most complex needs and this new school will enable them to receive support in their development within their local community."

The project is expected to open in the 2023/24 school year. You can read more by clicking here.