From the heart

A headteachers perspective

Sitting here, in our brand new school, is a wonderful feeling.Knowing that we had the drive, determination and partnership to deliver the very best environment for our pupils is hard to put into words.We are delighted, and our pupils and staff absolutely love it here.However, I'd be lying if I said that the journey was a straight line, without any bumps in the road, and I think we'd be foolish to think it's an easy ride.As I sit here now, well beyond the 'finish line' of the construction project, it's mind boggling to look back at the vast team of people who made this happen, and the challenge we gave each other through passionate debates and differently forged pathways, to get to where we are now.

What I can say is, the whole process was centred around what would be the best possible option for our young people. And yes, there are boundaries (budget for one!), but boundaries always inspire creativity. The best thing is I knew that whenever we would come up against a boundary, everyone would work creatively hard to deliver the best solution."

Looking back at when we conceived Lexden Springs new school, it's easy to see how one can slip into the notion of thinking that we already know what we want. The reality is that designing and delivering a SEND school is a complex journey.

I can honestly say it is a journey that ebbed and flowed, but it's one that needed passion, commitment, trust and honesty.Whilst I embarked upon an immense amount of personal research to help build the brief and make the right decisions for our young people, I did so with little previous experience and expertise.And whilst we have journeyed through the design and delivery to get to a fantastic outcome for our young people, it would be remissive of me to say I didn't need help back then.Actually, the more advice, best practice and guidance that I could have had, would have given us a springboard to get to where we are now.So, in short, I'm just one headteacher that's absolutely committed to improving the pathway for design and delivery of SEND schools, and why I've given up time to contribute to this document.Because if I could go back in time and speak to myself at the project outset - there are a number of questions I'd pose to help draw out the answers at an earlier stage.We hope this Blueprint for Success document can help bring a little guidance, spark or nudge towards giving you the best outcome, because trust me, when you see the smiles on the children's faces when they come into their new school, its one of the best feelings in the world.Starting with that end in mind is key, and hopefully this document can help navigate you there.Simon Wall | Lexden Springs School