Woodbridge Road Officially Opened

After years of planning and preparation, the new school building for Woodbridge Road Academy was officially opened yesterday.

Woodbridge Road Academy is a special school in Ipswich that makes a significant difference to the lives of pupils with communication and interaction needs. It excels in breaking down barriers so pupils can access the mainstream curriculum in a structured, low-arousal setting, helping them to fulfil their potential.

The school opened in September 2022 with an initial intake of 16 pupils, at a temporary location in Murrayside Community Centre. Now its purpose-built building is complete, bringing student numbers up to 62, and offering a host of benefits for pupils and staff alike.

The new building has been planned to be an ideal learning environment for the pupils, so every aspect of the school, from layout through to the choice of paint colours, is designed to be low-arousal and to help pupils focus. Woodbridge Road Academy also has a high staff to pupil ratio, with classes of around eight children being taught by one teacher and supported a teaching assistant. This means pupils get plenty of adult support and teachers have the flexibility to adapt lessons to the individual needs of the pupils.

Suffolk County Councillor Rachel Hood cut the ribbon, and staff and pupils then showed visitors around the school. BBC Look East was there to capture it all and you can read the article here.

Suffolk has seen a 200% increase in applications for EHCP plans over the last eight years, and the total number of pupils in England with special educational needs is rising every year, leading to a greater need for SEND provision than ever before. In partnership with Suffolk County Council, Paradigm Trust has opened Woodbridge Road Academy in Ipswich to bring more SEND places to the area.