Willmott Dixon wins £16m SEND school in Lincolnshire

St Lawrence will be Willmott Dixon’s fifth special education needs and disabilities (SEND) school building project for Lincolnshire County Council.

The school was designed by rival contractor Kier, acting as project architect, but it is Willmott Dixon that is taking over the construction process.

The new school will be built next to the original one, which will remain open during construction and then be demolished after the new school opens – scheduled for

September this year.

Nick Heath, Willmott Dixon director of delivery in the Midlands, said: “Initially, the council wanted to refurbish the existing school but the work required to refurbish and extend it wouldn’t have been value-for-money in the long-term. We therefore recommended the creation of a new school.

“The school’s sustainable measures will help to future-proof it against upcoming government targets, while also allowing the council to incorporate sustainable solutions in the future at minimise costs and disruption.”

The contract was procured through the Pagabo major works framework.

Willmott Dixon is working with Lincolnshire County Council on several similar developments across the county as part of the council’s £100m investment to improve SEND support.

Cllr Patricia Bradwell, executive council member for children’s services, said: “One of the council’s top priorities is ensuring all local children get a great start in life, and a good education is vital to that. That’s why the authority is investing around £100m in improving and expanding special school across Lincolnshire.

“Despite the challenges we’ve faced over the last few years, we’ve continued to make steady progress, with a wide range of improvements already completed, most recently in Boston, Bourne, Louth and Spilsby. I’m delighted pupils in Horncastle will soon be able to benefit from this programme as well.

“The new school will offer much better facilities and will mean more pupils will be able to attend their local school, rather than having to travel large distances for their education – something that will be of great benefit to both the children and their families.”

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