Yesterday, contractors from across Yorkshire came together to break ground on a £3 million transformation at Hilltop School in Rotherham, marking the start of a project that will change the lives of 180 children with complex learning needs and create a lasting legacy for future generations of pupils.
The project is being spearheaded by Yorkshire Children’s Charity’s ‘Great Yorkshire Build’ initiative, which has rallied the region’s property and construction sector to deliver a complete reconfiguration of the school, including a new rebound therapy space, three new classrooms, and accessible, dignified spaces for learning and care.
The urgent need for transformation at Hilltop School was highlighted on BBC’s ‘SEND Help’, which exposed cramped, cupboard-sized classrooms and temporary cabins being used to deliver essential care and education. Presently, the sensory climate is inadequate, there is a lack of access around the main building and children are being taught in temporary classrooms
with no access to toilet facilities, natural light, or running water.
Now, thanks to the generosity and skill of over 50 contractors, consultants, and developers, the children at Hilltop School will have the facilities they deserve.
“Every child deserves access to education by right, not a privilege fought for by desperate families,” said Charlotte Farrington, CEO of Yorkshire Children’s Charity.
“Thanks to the incredible Yorkshire construction community, this will soon be a reality for children at Hilltop.”
Data released from the last academic year shows that around two in three special schools in England were operating at or above capacity. According to Government figures, this suggests that around 8,000 more secondary school pupils were enrolled in special schools than their reported capacity allowed.
The Great Yorkshire Build has been designed to improve outdated, insufficient, and inadequate facilities at many of the county’s SLD (Severe Learning Disability), SILC (Specialist Inclusive Learning Centers) and SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disability) schools.
Kirstie, a parent at Hilltop School, added: “It’s going to benefit so many kids, they’re asking for the most basic things…daylight, windows, running water. Children shouldn’t have to ask for it, it’s their human right to have these things.”
At its heart, this project is about ensuring every child has the opportunity to learn, play, and grow in a safe, well-equipped environment, regardless of their circumstances.
To learn more about our Great Yorkshire Build initiative, visit: https://www.yorkshirechildrenscharity.org/yorkshire-childrens-charity/impact/yorkshire-childrens-charity-impact-the-great-yorkshire-build/
This work would not be possible with the dedication and care of the inspirational contractors and subcontractors who have committed to this project: GMI; Bowmer and Kirkland, SES Engineering Services, Severfield, Henry Boot Construction, Pierre Angulaire, Cartwright Pickard, McLaren Property, Stainforth, Rex Procter and Partners, BAM Construction, Richard Boothroyd & Associates, Triton Construction and every single person who has come into contact with this project thus far.
