Willmott Dixon has started work to deliver a new £10.7 million school for children with special needs in Okehampton ,West Devon, on behalf of Devon County Council.

Located on the Okehampton East Business Park and procured using the SCF Framework, The Promise School will cater for up to 100 primary and secondary pupils with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) difficulties and on the autism spectrum.

The school will be run by the Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust, which also runs Okehampton, Tavistock and Holsworthy Colleges and a number of primary schools in the area, and forms part of a £22 million programme by Devon County Council to provide 300 extra places for vulnerable children with special needs across the county. The new building is expected to be completed in the spring of 2023 but the school will open to its first pupils in September 2022 using temporary accommodation.


Rob Woolcock, Director at Willmott Dixon said: "Working with Devon County Council, we are delighted to be appointed to this vital project.

"We are committed to delivering the highest quality facilities for children with the most complex needs and this new school will enable them to receive support in their development within their local community.

"We have significant experience in delivering SEMH projects across the region and the construction of The Promise School will provide the pupils with a safe, robust and sustainable environment in which to learn and thrive."