A new dedicated SEND unit and resource base has opened at The Boulevard Academy to provide additional support for students with special educational needs.
The self-contained modular building features two classrooms and breakout areas, specialist teaching spaces, staff areas and toilets.
The facility can support up to 25 secondary age students with a range of additional needs including Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.
The provision is designed to allow students to access the mainstream curriculum alongside targeted specialist support tailored to their individual learning and wellbeing.
It maintains the council’s commitment to meeting SEND requirements in Hull and will also help to create further specialist teaching roles in the city.
The building was officially opened with a ribbon cutting by Cllr Linda Tock, the council’s portfolio holder for children’s service, alongside The Boulevard Academy’s headteacher, Steve Fenna.
Cllr Tock said: “It was a real privilege to be invited to The Boulevard Academy and to officially open the building.
“It’s a really spacious and modern facility, a wonderful environment for the children to learn. Talking to them, they love it and it appears they’re already settled.
“I’m proud and thankful for the team which has come together to construct this fantastic provision.”
The works were completed by the council’s partners Hull Esteem Consortium LEP and contractors Sewell Construction.
Headteacher Steve Fenna added: “The children in this setting will really thrive thanks for specialist support from staff, not only catering to their learning needs, but also their emotional needs too.
“Like all schools within the Thrive Trust, we really do value and emphasise an inclusive approach and this new unit allows those students to continue their education in a mainstream school.
“One thing we’ll take from it was that as part of the build project, the builders work specifically with a couple of SEND students who have an interest in the construction industry which was a really nice touch.
“We’re thankful to have been in partnership with the council and their contractors to have this great modular build which is sympathetic to our existing school site.
“There’s no doubt this building has the wow factor and it’s a really exciting time for The Boulevard Academy as we move to the forefront of SEND provision within Hull.”