Willmott Dixon has started work on Acre Wood Academy, a £15.6 million project for East Sussex County Council.
The purpose-built secondary school providing 60 specialist places for children aged 11–16 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) will bring together primary and secondary provisions.
The project, procured via the Procurement Hub 2 Framework, has started on site in Crowborough and is scheduled for completion Winter 2026. The two-storey, steel frame building will deliver state-of-the-art learning facilities addressing the increasing demand for SEND places across the county.
The school is located adjacent to an existing primary SEND school, which will remain fully operational throughout construction. Together, the two schools will create a co-located primary and secondary facility in a calm, well-connected environment close to Crowborough town centre.
Designed in close consultation with East Sussex County Council and pupils, the facility will provide safe, secure outdoor areas tailored to a range of learning and physical needs, with level, ramped or lift access throughout the building. Distinct external spaces for younger and older pupils include covered breakout spaces directly linked to classrooms, external PE and social areas, and a managed drop-off zone for various vehicle types.
The design maximises usable space while responding to the site's natural topography, with retention of as many existing trees as possible. Off-site improvements will enhance access and connectivity to the facility.
The school's energy-efficient design will reduce emissions, while the site will deliver Biodiversity Net Gain through measures that protect and enhance the surrounding natural environment.
Richard Poulter, Managing Director of Willmott Dixon in the South: "We are delivering a project that will have a meaningful and lasting impact on the community. Acre Wood Academy has been carefully designed to meet the complex and varied needs of its future pupils, while responding sensitively to the site's constraints and opportunities. As a team we have extensive experience in the SEN and SEND sector, creating high-quality, inclusive environments where pupils can thrive. We are partnering with East Sussex County Council to ensure the school will support families for years to come."
