Milestone in construction of new school

Councillors and academy staff visited the site to see how construction has advanced

Construction of the main structure and roof of a new special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) school has been completed.

Nottinghamshire County Council is constructing the £30m building on the site of the former Ravensdale School in Mansfield.

The school, to be called Horizons Academy, is set to open early in 2026 and will have capacity for 160 pupils aged seven to 19, the council said.

The authority said the new school, to be run by Diverse Academies Trust, will provide a specialist learning environment for children with social, emotional, and mental health needs.

The school is part of a wider plan to create 490 more SEND places

Councillors and academy bosses attended a gathering at the site last week to mark the completion of the building's roof and main structure.

County Council leader Sam Smith said: "We are committed to meeting the needs of children and young people with SEND and their families and to providing much-needed special school places in Nottinghamshire.

"It is vital we invest in our future generations."

David Cotton, CEO of the academy trust, added: "It was incredible to see how far the building works have progressed.

"Horizons is truly on track to deliver an exceptional learning environment for young people in the local community with special educational needs."

The council said the new school would be part of a wider programme to create up to 490 additional SEND school places in the county by 2026.