Acre Wood Academy
Reorganisation and expansion of existing special school
Willmott Dixon was joined by representatives from East Sussex County Council (ESCC) and London South East Academies Trust (LSEAT) alongside pupils and their families to celebrate the topping out of the Acre Wood Academy School’s new secondary building.
A £15.6m project being delivered for ESCC and procured via the Procurement Hub 2 Framework, this new secondary school building will provide 60 specialist places for children aged 11-16 with specialist educational needs and disabilities (SEND). This will replace the existing school building, bringing both secondary and primary schools onto one site.
Carolyn Fair, Director of Children’s Services at East Sussex County Council, said:
“The event gave local families the chance to celebrate this important milestone and see the fantastic facilities taking shape. The council’s significant investment in this project will ensure a high-quality provision for young people with SEND and provide a real sense of community for the pupils and their families.”
The school has been thoughtfully designed to meet the complex and varied needs of the students, with ramped and lift access throughout the building, safe and secure outdoor space, covered breakout areas linked to classrooms and PE and social areas. All of which will support the children to learn and grow in an environment that caters to them.
Richard Poulter, Managing Director at Willmott Dixon in the South, said:
“Today’s topping out ceremony marks a significant milestone in the delivery of a purpose-built school that will have a meaningful and life-changing impact on the community, the pupils, and their families. By providing young people with an inclusive environment that supports their needs, this facility will empower future students to thrive and reach their full potential. We are proud to be working with East Sussex County Council and LSEAT to deliver a facility that will serve the community for generations to come.”
With the building reaching its maximum height, Willmott Dixon will continue fitting out the interiors, installing exterior finishes and undertaking landscaping with the aim to complete by early 2027, with pupils moving into the new facilities from the spring.
Neil Miller, Deputy CEO of London South East Academies Trust, said:
"Seeing Acre Wood Academy's new building take shape brings us another step closer to providing an exceptional learning environment designed around the needs of our young people. Thanks to the continued investment and support of East Sussex County Council, the project is progressing well. The windows and external doors are now being installed, with the internal fit-out to follow as we move towards completion in early 2027.
"Our aim at London South East Academies Trust is to transform lives through the power of learning. These purpose-built facilities will give our staff the best environment to deliver specialist education and support, helping SEND learners in the region to build confidence and achieve their full potential."
This milestone further strengthens Willmott Dixon’s growing portfolio of education projects, building on the recent completion of Hopescourt School in Surrey, a 200-pupil school for students aged 4–19 with autism and other communication and interaction needs.
The company is also currently delivering London River Academy, a purpose-built specialist school for 90 pupils aged 7–19, all of whom have social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs. Together, these projects highlight Willmott Dixon’s extensive sector-specific expertise and reinforce their strong track record in delivering high-quality SEND education facilities.