Willmott Dixon has completed construction work on a new £16million SEN school in Bridgwater.

The school has been officially handed over to Somerset County Council this week. Located on Bower Lane, Polden Bower School will provide a new home for the existing Penrose and Elwood schools.

Procured through the SCF framework, the new all-age school includes accessible classrooms, dining hall, sports hall, sensory and therapy rooms and a hydrotherapy pool. Outside a sensory garden, multi-use games area and adventure playground will provide lots of spaces to support the pupils' physical and sensory needs.

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Completed during the pandemic and on a challenging site that had to battle flooding after a string of winter storms, the team involved have overcome numerous obstacles to deliver the school successfully to Somerset County Council.

Rob Woolcock, director for Willmott Dixon in the South West region said: "The team have overcome many challenges, including a global pandemic to deliver an exceptional school for Bridgwater. The school is going to make such a difference to local children with the most complex needs, providing them with the therapeutic facilities that will support their development. The whole team have been proud to be a part of this project.

"Despite the pandemic, we ensured the project had a far-reaching impact on the local community. Over 50% of the spend was within 30 miles of the project, and we delivered over 4390 hours dedicated to careers support and mentoring, and provided work experience to bricklaying students from Bridgwater & Taunton College."