New campus providing SEND support officially opens

The Links Campus, run by Churchward School, teaches children and young people who require varying levels of support. The learning provision was created, in part, thanks to the opening of 35 new places for young people with SEND by Swindon Borough Council.

Based at UTC Swindon in Bristol Street, the satellite school opened its doors in September but was today given its official unveiling as council staff and councillors met with young people who are attending the campus and their teachers.

Based inside a building formally used as a production centre for the Great Western Railway, the campus features dedicated teaching spaces and collaboration areas, while also providing young people with direct access to the facilities available at UTC Swindon.

The creation of the extra SEND places forms part of the Council’s work to ensure young people in Swindon are given dedicated specialist support throughout their education. Sixty places across Swindon were created at the start of the academic year, while further primary school places will be made available from both January and September 2025.

Councillor Adorabelle Amaral-Shaikh, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, said: “The work at Churchward School is a fantastic example of how young people can thrive given the right support and learning environment. I enjoyed hearing first hand from the young people about how the new Links Campus is making a real difference to them.

“We know that more school places are needed, which is why we will continue to use additional funding secured earlier this year to develop plans for a new special school for Swindon.

“This work is part of our mission to build a fairer and better Swindon, and I know the work of Council staff and local schools will mean our young people will have access to all the opportunities and support they need to lead happy and healthy lives.”

Dave Dearsley, Headteacher at Churchward School, said: “The pressure for places at Churchward School is growing year on year. Having opened in 2018 with 20 students we now have 125 students on roll and the demand continues to far exceed the places available. Working with the local authority and UTC Swindon we have been able to grow again this academic year to meet some of this demand.

"This is an excellent opportunity for students at Churchward School to develop links with mainstream peers as they continue their journey towards becoming independent learners.

"Churchward School’s unique approach has been so successful that 90 per cent of students are ready to move into a less specialist environment ahead of time, with students leaving Churchward School and successfully transitioning into mainstream school or college, apprenticeships and work.

"I know that the partnership we are building with UTC will provide additional opportunities for our students to achieve their full potential and become active members of the community.”