Latest news with #Ludgershall
BBC News
07-08-2025
- General
- BBC News
Wiltshire mum praises SEN provision as £6.5m school planned
A mother has praised the special educational needs (Send) provision provided for her son, following the announcement Wiltshire Council is going to invest £6.5 million in a new Send Reed's son Sid, 15, has a rare genetic disorder which affects his learning development and has praised the difference that dedicated special needs education had made after the local village primary school was unable to meet his John Hubbard, cabinet member for children's services said the new Exeter House School in Ludgershall would make it possible for all children to " have the choice to be educated in Wiltshire". The new school will be located on the grounds of Wellington Academy in Ludgershall, and is intended to serve 120 children with special educational Reed, who lives near Devizes, said that having started in a regular infant school, it became clear from an early age that Sid needed a different kind of support."Sid started off in mainstream education until he was about four or five," she said."We didn't know that Sid has special needs, but it gradually dawned on us. "His little village primary school tried very hard to accommodate those needs, but it just got too much for all of us and that's when he went to a specialist setting," she added. 'We are delighted' She praised the "confidence of the teachers" at his new school, saying the move "was a huge weight off her shoulders"."Times were very hard before he went to specialist school. He seems very happy now," she said."Amazingly, we were told he might never read or write. He didn't start talking until he was eight."He's now reading at the age of a 12 year old, and we're delighted with that."Sid is also helping his aunt at her restaurant and has taken up guitar lessons.
Yahoo
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Residents turn out in force for annual Party in the Park event
Despite the extreme heat, Ludgershall residents turned out in force for the annual Party in the Park event. Held on Saturday, July 12, the Recreation Ground was bustling with activity, with attendees bringing picnic blankets and umbrellas to join in the fun. The event, organised by Ludgershall Town Council, boasted a range of attractions. Kick Start, Beat the Goalie and inflatable darts were particularly popular. Rich Pearson wowed the crowd with a bike show, followed by Mr Burt's children's entertainment and balloon show. Read more Alpacas bring joy and laughter to care home with surprise visit Wings & Wheels 2025: Eye-catching planes and vintage cars in action Music festival raises thousands to support church roof restoration Rich Pearson wowed the crowd with a bike show. (Image: Ludgershall Town Council) The raffle raised £300 for the Mayor's Charity, which this year is St James' Church Restoration Fund. Trade stands, food vendors and a busy ice cream van, along with tea and cakes provided by Friends of Ludgershall, English Heritage and St James Church, kept everyone refreshed. A selection of entertainers, including The Cover Girls, Nokando, Electric Eden and MJ Ponting, took to the stage throughout the afternoon and evening. As the sun set, more people joined, seeking shelter under the hedges surrounding the ground. A council spokesperson said: "Well done to all the people who helped to make this such a success and to all the Ludgershall residents who came to dance and sing along with us."
BBC News
11-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Boost in SEND school places after Ludgershall school approved
An additional 120 school spaces for children with special educational needs (SEND) are set to become available after the approval for a new satellite by the Department of Education, the school will be located in a former boarding house on the grounds of Wellington Academy in Exeter House Wellington, the school for four to 19-year-olds will include sensory and soft play spaces, 12 classrooms, plus a specialist classroom for food technology and life satellite school is linked to Exeter House in Salisbury, a school which works across three different locations in the city and which is run by Brunel Academies Trust. Wiltshire councillor Jon Hubbard said the school "will make a huge difference" for pupils and families in the county."We want all our children and young people to have the choice to be educated in Wiltshire," he said."We have long term plans to create more SEND spaces and this latest satellite school is helping us achieve this." The boarding school was closed down by Wellington Academy in July 2024 and the new school is expected to open in autumn Fieldwick, CEO of Brunel Academies Trust, said: "This fabulous collaboration with Wiltshire Council will provide excellent opportunities for children and young people in the Tidworth and surrounding areas to be successful and happy."She said the provision would allow local children and young people with additional needs to be supported in their communities.
