A NEW £15million school is already making a huge difference to youngsters with special educational needs (SEN) in south Essex.

The Echo has been given an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the exciting new facilities at Glenwood School, in Benfleet, to see the huge difference it is making to SEN children in south Essex.

It has recently been revealed that there has been a steady increase in the number of pupils in the country being diagnosed with autism.

A £15million scheme was commissioned by Essex County Council in a bid to combat a drastic need for additional SEN places in the area.

Glenwood School previously had another building in Rushbottom Lane, but needed bigger and better facilities and so the new building - just up the road - was opened in November.

And it is already having a hugely positive effect.

More than 200 pupils attending the school and making the most of the state-of-the-art facilities, designed to provide a safe place where the youngsters are comfortable learning.

Approximately 60 per cent of pupils at the school have a diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorder and roughly 30 per cent have significant physical and/or sensory impairments.

The school aims to provide all learners with the tools and core competencies that they really need to enjoy a meaningful adult life - and the facilities making all the difference to the youngsters can be seen in the Echo’s photos.

The school features 26 spacious classrooms, a hydrotherapy pool and specialist facilities designed to help meet the sensory needs of the pupils, including swing therapy rooms and a trampoline room.

An independent living area has also been created within the school to help older pupils prepare for adulthood.

There is also an immersive room, which will use projections to simulate a range of environments.

The new two-storey building, which was built by construction and infrastructure company Morgan Sindall, includes state-of-the-art facilities to support 210 children and young adults aged three to 19 with severe and multiple learning difficulties.

There will also be music rooms, soft and outdoor play areas and two hall areas as well as a car park for 110 vehicles.

Councillor Ray Gooding, Essex County Council’s cabinet member for education, said: “We are committed to ensuring all pupils receive the best possible education and that this happens within an environment that meets their individual needs.

“The opening of Glenwood School in Benfleet is linked to our ambitious plans to spend up to £115million on creating new special school places across the county.

“This new building is already making a huge difference to pupils with Special Education Needs in south Essex.

“We are delighted pupils are able to learn in a stimulating and welcoming environment, which not only supports their development now, but provides a good foundation for future learning.”

The record investment in creating more than 400 new special educational needs across the country, which includes £42million from the Essex Schools Forum, comes following an increase in the number of young people in the county being diagnosed with autism and amid a growing demand for special school places.

Recently, Glenwood School was chosen as the winner in the community benefit category at the prestigious Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors Awards.

The school was recognised for addressing the needs of SEN school places and community facilities at the East of England Awards, which recognises outstanding developments in the region.

You an find out more by visiting glenwood.essex.sch.uk