Bedford Blues star opens new facilities for Grange Academy

Excited Grange Academy pupils have welcomed families and VIP guests to the grand opening of their new building – with the help of a local sporting star.
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Published 3rd Oct 2022, 07:00 BST
Luke Frost with Mohammad Yasin MPLuke Frost with Mohammad Yasin MP
Luke Frost with Mohammad Yasin MP

The new addition to Grange Academy, a special needs school for pupils aged five to 16, with a diverse range of learning needs including moderate learning difficulties, autism and medical and physical needs, houses a number of new classrooms.

Designed and developed in partnership with property and construction consultancy Ingleton Wood after a successful bid for £2.4m of funding from the government’s Condition Improvement Fund, these replace ten inadequate and dilapidated mobile classrooms.

At the building’s official opening on 16th September, Bedford Blues star Luke Frost helped officially open the new classroom accommodation in front of an audience that included former headteachers and staff. Pupils enjoyed face painting, outdoor games and a bouncy castle to celebrate the completion of the state-of-the-art classrooms which feature environmentally sustainable heating systems, interactive boards and large teaching spaces.

Grange Academy unveils state-of-the-art classrooms which feature sustainable heating systems with help from Blues starGrange Academy unveils state-of-the-art classrooms which feature sustainable heating systems with help from Blues star
Grange Academy unveils state-of-the-art classrooms which feature sustainable heating systems with help from Blues star

“At what is arguably an unprecedented time of flux in our lives and history, special schools like Grange Academy are holding up a lantern of inclusiveness and hope,” says Catherine Assink, CEO of Bedford Inclusive Learning and Training Trust and former Grange headteacher who was responsible for securing the funding.

“They are beacons of unity, of us working together as one for the benefit of everyone, no matter who we are or where we come from. The new classrooms will help achieve this through decent teaching spaces that will help the school go from strength to strength.”

Rachel Timms, Grange’s new headteacher, added: “Grange is a special place for both staff and pupils and we are thrilled to be enhancing the opportunities we are able to provide for our young people.”

Andrew Marchant, Senior Associate at Ingleton Wood, said: “We were delighted to secure such significant funding to replace dilapidated classrooms with a new, state-of-the art building suitable for the needs of pupils with additional needs.

“It’s rewarding to know hundreds of pupils will benefit from first-class facilities for years to come.”

Their recent Ofsted inspection judged Grange Academy to be Good with Outstanding leadership. The school has been recognised as a Gold Level UNICEF Rights Respecting School as well as achieving the prestigious Artsmark Gold Award.

Bedford Inclusive Learning and Training Trust brings together three of Bedford’s specialist provisions: Grange Academy, Greys Education Centre and St John’s Special School and College.

To find out more, visit https://grange.beds.sch.uk/

Related topics:Bedford Blues