PLANS for a permanent SEND school in Langford have been submitted by the Department for Education (DfE).
If permission is granted, Lime Hills Academy, which opened in temporary accommodation last
September, will cater for up to 65 students aged five to 16 with primary Social, Emotional Mental Health (SENH) needs.
Currently there is no special school provision for pupils with a primary diagnosis of SEMH needs in North Somerset.
Lime Hills Academy, part of the Cabot Learning Federation, aims to 'level up' educational
outcomes and keep children engaged in learning through specialist facilities and learning
programmes.
The proposed site enables opportunities for vocational studies and outdoor sports with a
closer connection to nature in a calm, sustainable environment.
The architects have created a place of sanctuary for those with acute needs while responding to comments made during consultation from neighbouring properties to provide a sympathetic building orientation and sustainable landscape design.
Lime Hills Academy will support the local economy and bring new jobs to the area and features facilities for community use outside school hours.
The teaching day will be split between primary and secondary pupils so trips are spread
throughout the day to reduce impact on the local network.
Lis Jolley, Lime Hills Academy principal said: “In its new purpose-built home, Lime Hills Academy will create an environment, a workforce and a curriculum experience which enables children and young people with social, emotional and mental health difficulties to develop the skills, resilience and selfawareness to be successful at first at school and then in later life.
“The setting will have a range of carefully designed spaces which will enable group interaction, safe spaces for retreat, those which facilitate academic learning and those which are more therapeutic in nature."
Cllr Catherine Gibbons, executive member for children, young people, lifelong learning and skills at North Somerset Council, said: “Lime Hills Academy is currently supporting 22 pupils from their temporary accommodation in Nailsea.
"We are looking forward to the DfE delivering their permanent site as part of our joint commitment to providing local schools and supporting those with social, emotional and mental
health needs.
"This is part of our strategy to ensure that all children should have the opportunity to attend
a good school within North Somerset where they can learn, grow and develop."
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