Three Lincolnshire Free School academies opening next summer

Three alternative provision Free School academies will open in Lincolnshire in the summer in 2019, accommodating space for around 60 pupils.

Regional contractor G F Tomlinson has already started work on all three sites, with two brand new facilities opening on Macauley Drive in Lincoln and on New Beacon Road in Grantham.

Three existing small teaching blocks are being refurbished, remodelled and extended to create a new academy at the former Monks Dyke Tennyson secondary school in Mablethorpe.

As previously reported, councillors on City of Lincoln Council’s Planning Committee unanimously voted through Wellspring Academy Trust’s proposals at a meeting on Thursday, March 22.

The Springwell Alternative Academies project is being delivered in partnership with Wellspring Academy Trust and will create more than 180 places for students aged 4-16.

An artist impression of the Springwell Academy in Lincoln, which is set to open in 2019.

An artist impression of the Springwell Academy in Mablethorpe, which is set to open in 2019.

An artist impression of the Springwell Academy in Grantham, which is set to open in 2019.

The academies will provide learning opportunities for children and young people who are unable to attend mainstream schools for a variety of reasons ranging from mental or physical health difficulties to behavioural, emotional and social difficulties.

Each academy will accommodate around 60 pupils and will feature specialised teaching spaces, an assembly hall, SEN (Special Educational Needs) therapy room, sensory room, hygiene room, fitness suite, parents’ room and multiple use games area.

Framework manager at G F Tomlinson, Ian Dalby, said: “G F Tomlinson has an outstanding track record in delivering educational projects for local communities under the ESFA Framework.

“We are thrilled to have started on site and are looking forward to working with Wellspring Academy Trust over the coming months to deliver these new academies, giving students the chance to reach their full potential in an environment which suits their individual needs.”

Chief operating officer from Wellspring Academy Trust, Josh Greaves, added: “We are hugely excited that work is now underway across the three sites under G F Tomlinson’s curation, whose reputation speaks for itself.

“These will be transformational facilities for the children of Lincolnshire, supporting the Wellspring’s aspiration to make a difference to the lives and life chances of all those within our care.”