A New Chapter for Paddock School: £41 Million Investment Expands SEND Education in Wandsworth

The start of the new school year marks a milestone for Paddock School Wandsworth, as pupils and staff settle into a purpose-built £41 million campus designed to meet the needs of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

The new school, located on Broadwater Road, replaces the former site in Priory Lane, Roehampton. It features modern classrooms, therapy rooms and inclusive outdoor spaces created to support wellbeing and independence. The project represents one of the borough’s most significant education investments in recent years, expanding local SEND provision and helping families access support close to home.

At an opening ceremony attended by pupils, parents, councillors and community partners, the atmosphere was one of pride and excitement. Students helped bury a time capsule filled with artwork and memories, while the school’s own boyband, The Blue Boys, performed for guests.

Building inclusion into the heart of the community

Since 2021, Wandsworth Council has created more than 270 new SEND places as part of a wider £41 million investment programme. The new Paddock School site stands at the centre of that commitment, offering specialist secondary and sixth form education for local pupils.

Councillor Judi Gasser, Cabinet Member for Children, said: “We are committed to ensuring children with special educational needs can access high-quality support locally. Paddock’s new home represents the very best of what we want for Wandsworth, which is schools that give every child the opportunity to grow, succeed and follow their ambitions, close to home, in an environment that supports and celebrates them.”

Headteacher Sarah Santos echoed that sense of purpose: “This is a special day for our whole school community. Walking through these doors every morning, you can feel the excitement and pride of our pupils and staff. The building has been designed around the needs and aspirations of our young people, and we can already see the positive impact it’s having on their confidence and joy in learning.”

Expanding opportunity across Wandsworth

The new facility allows more children to study locally rather than travel outside the borough for specialist education. Alongside Paddock’s expansion, the council has upgraded existing SEND settings and opened new resource bases within mainstream schools to foster greater inclusion.

This initiative forms part of Wandsworth’s long-term SEND Strategy, focused on early intervention, inclusive practice and close collaboration with families. The council’s wider vision is to make Wandsworth one of London’s most inclusive boroughs, where every child has access to high-quality education and the right support at the right time.

Readers can learn more about inclusive design in education from the National Association for Special Educational Needs, which supports schools nationwide in building environments that meet every learner’s needs.

For more stories exploring education and community life, follow EyeOnLondon Wandsworth for original features and local insights.

[Image Credit | Paddock School]

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