A SCHOOL which cares for children with special educational needs has moved into its new premises.

Lexden Springs School had outgrown its old building in Halstead Road, Colchester, and staff and students have moved into the new state-of-the-art campus on the former Heath School site, in Winstree Road, Stanway.

Morgan Sindall Construction led the £19million expansion, which has seen the school’s capacity increase from 120 to 200 pupils.

The new campus includes 30 new boarding places, as well as extensive car parking and landscaping works.

The new building has two separate entrances, with one specifically designed for use by minibuses and taxis to drop off and collect pupils.

The expansion is part of the Essex County Council’s plans to spend up to £115million on special educational needs places across Essex.

More than 400 school and boarding places have been delivered on behalf of the council across the county.

The investment, which includes £42million from the Essex Schools Forum, comes after an increase in the number of children in the county being diagnosed with autism and a surge in the demand for special needs school places.

Chris Travers, operations director for Morgan Sindall Construction in the East of England, said: “As Essex continues to become a highly-attractive destination for families to live and work, it’s crucial the region is supported with the necessary infrastructure and education facilities to support them.

“In recent years, we’ve seen increasing demand for school places in the region, especially for SEN and SEND learners, and Essex County Council’s record investment to boost these services is fantastic.

“We’re incredibly proud to have supported Essex County Council with their vision to create inspiring, special places where children and young people at all stages of their education journey can prosper and reach their true potential.

“The benefit of this investment will be felt across the region for many years to come.”

Ray Gooding, county councillor responsible for education, added: “Every child in Essex should be able to access the education they want and deserve and being able to expand some of our great schools helps make this possible.”