Nusrat Ghani, MP for Wealden, has visited the Ropemakers Academy in Hailsham to celebrate its official opening this month.
The Ropemakers Academy is a new free school in Hailsham, providing education and care for primary and secondary school pupils who have been identified as having complex special educational needs or social, emotional and mental health issues.
The school is one of more than 50 new free schools across the country that have opened their doors to pupils at the start of September 2020. Due to the pandemic, construction of some of the buildings on site has been delayed, but the campus is now complete, fully equipped, and ready for the new academic year. The school has been working collaboratively with the council, local authorities, mainstream schools, multi-agencies, families, and pupils to deliver an outstanding provision for these vulnerable young people.
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Nusrat Ghani said: “I was delighted to visit this fantastic new addition to Wealden education services to celebrate its official opening and meet the Headteacher Simon Hawthorne. The Ropemakers Academy is an incredible facility, fully equipped to allow its pupils to flourish. Every child in this country, irrespective of their background, must have the opportunity to get a world-class education and reach their potential. This includes children with special educational needs and disabilities, and children in alternative provision. Free schools play an important role in our education system and I am delighted that we have this fantastic new state-of-the-art school with dedicated specialist teachers in Hailsham.”
Simon Hawthorne, Headteacher, said: "I was delighted to have the opportunity to welcome Nusrat to the Ropemakers' Academy, it was fantastic for our staff and students to meet our local MP. It was really supportive and reassuring that Nusrat was keen to know all about our provision and understand the needs of our students. Nusrat made it clear that we are welcome to reach out at any point and we all look forward to welcoming Nusrat again in the near future".
