NEW facilities for pupils with special needs have been opened in Salisbury to help meet growing demand.

Reach South, multi Academy Trust which includes Springfields Academy, Magna Learning Partnership and Wiltshire Council worked together to open Springfields South on the site of Sarum Academy on Monday.

Springfields head teacher Jon Hamp said: “I’m so pleased that children and families who felt that doors had been closed to them, will now be able to walk into their new school.

“We have planned it all in great detail and now just want to get started.”

Springfields Academy specialises in supporting vulnerable young people, with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Social Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH), to access and enjoy their learning.

The school for primary and lower secondary age groups is part of Wiltshire Council’s “wider approach to meeting the growing need for specialist education provision in the county”.

Laura Mayes, the cabinet member for children’s services, said: “I’m sure pupils will love their new school and enjoy their learning in spacious bright classrooms.

“This is a much-needed resource in the south of the county. We will continue to work together to make Springfields South a success and create further projects for children and young people in the future.

“We hope Springfields South is the start of some great work across the county to ensure we can provide for all our children and young people with special needs.”

The satellite site is being developed as part of the a wider review of special education that Wiltshire Council has undertaken over the last three years.