Teachers, pupils, and families gathered this week to celebrate the grand opening of two brand-new, state-of-the-art buildings at Philip Southcote School in Addlestone, following a £11.1 million investment by Surrey County Council. The new facilities include a dedicated SEND teaching block and a specialist hydrotherapy pool, designed to enhance the learning environment and wellbeing of students with additional needs and disabilities.
Constructed by Morgan Sindall Construction, the project delivers 27 new specialist school places and significantly upgrades space for 24 existing students, helping to meet the growing demand for local specialist education.
A Milestone in Inclusive Education
The new teaching block features modern classrooms, an ICT suite, and enhanced provisions for hearing-impaired students. The hydrotherapy pool, designed with cutting-edge technology, includes hydromassage zones and offers up to 45% carbon reductions—supporting the council’s wider net-zero ambitions.
Deputy Mayor of Runnymede, Margaret Harnden, officially opened the buildings, cutting the ribbon as pupils proudly showed their families around the new learning spaces.
Leadership and Collaboration
The project was procured through the Southern Construction Framework (SCF5), with Pellings leading the design of the teaching block and Morgan Sindall designing the hydrotherapy pool building. The facilities also include photovoltaic panels and sustainable materials, setting a new standard for eco-friendly educational infrastructure.
Councillor Clare Curran, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Lifelong Learning, said:
“We are thrilled that the pupils of Philip Southcote School can now benefit from these outstanding new facilities. Our investment reflects our long-term commitment to improving outcomes for children with additional needs—closer to home, in high-quality, inclusive environments.”
“Our goal is to increase maintained specialist school places from approximately 3,700 to 5,760 across Surrey by 2030, and this is a significant step toward that target.”
A Space for Students to Thrive
Mr Jerwood, Headteacher at Philip Southcote School, said the project has already had a transformative effect:
“Having the classrooms all together means our departments can work more cohesively. With updated technology and improved acoustics, our students—especially those with hearing impairments—are better supported than ever.”
“One student even described the new building as ‘tranquil,’ which is exactly what a learning space should be.”
Penny Alford, Deputy CEO of Bourne Education Trust, added:
“Every design decision was made with the dignity and wellbeing of students in mind. You can feel the pride and excitement among both staff and students.”
A Complex Yet Rewarding Project
Marc Kimpton, Senior Associate at Pellings, praised the collaborative effort behind the development:
“It’s been a pleasure to be part of this project since 2021, navigating the complexities of building on an active school site and delivering two outstanding new buildings that truly reflect the needs of the school community.”
Paul Holden, Senior Preconstruction Manager at Morgan Sindall Construction, added:
“We are incredibly proud to deliver facilities that will directly benefit children with additional needs in Addlestone and across Surrey. These buildings are a testament to what can be achieved when public and private sectors work together with a shared vision.”
Looking Ahead
This project marks a key milestone in Surrey County Council’s SEND and Alternative Provision Capital Programmes, which underpin the Inclusion and Additional Needs Partnership Strategy 2023–2026. The council remains committed to expanding specialist educational provision to give every child in Surrey the best possible start, regardless of their needs.
For more information, visit www.surreycc.gov.uk or subscribe to the Surrey Matters newsletter.
