Specialist school to create up to 100 jobs once building works complete
Construction works have begun for the development of a new specialist school in Hull.
Willowfield Academy will cater for 125 pupils with severe physical and/or learning difficulties, while also creating up to 100 full‑time equivalent jobs.
The school will allow more children from Hull with specialist needs to receive an education closer to home.
It includes a mixture of classrooms, specialist teaching and therapy spaces, plus a hydrotherapy pool.
Councillor Linda Tock, portfolio holder for children’s services at Hull City Council, said: “Every child in Hull is entitled to an education in an environment which enables them to maximise their learning and this exciting project will help to achieve that.
Credit: Sewell Construction
“It further demonstrates the council’s commitment to meeting SEND sufficiency in Hull and create opportunities for those with the most complex needs to thrive.”
Willowfield Academy is being delivered by Hull City Council in partnership with Hull Esteem LEP, with funding and approvals from the Department for Education. Building works are being completed by Sewell Construction.
The development demonstrates further collaborative work between the council and Humber Education Trust (HET) following a new facility opened at Ganton Special School in 2025.
Rachel Wilkes, CEO of Humber Education Trust, added: “We believe every child deserves the opportunity to thrive, belong and succeed and working in partnership with the council and Hull Esteem LEP will create an environment for that.
“Reaching this stage in the development of Willowfield Academy is a significant step towards making that vision a reality for more children and families across our community.
“This investment reflects our trust’s values of inclusion, ambition and collaboration, and most importantly, our commitment to putting children at the heart of every decision we make.
“We are incredibly proud to be part of a project that will make a lasting difference to the lives of children for years to come.”
