£24.5m expansion of Luton school to create 120 specialist places
A £24.5 million expansion of a Luton secondary school is under way, with a new site set to provide up to 120 additional specialist places for children with additional needs.
Woodlands Secondary School is expanding onto a second site in Kestrel Way, with the new facilities expected to open in autumn 2027.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Monday, October 19, marking the latest milestone in the project, which aims to meet growing demand for specialist education across the town.
The two-storey building will feature 14 classrooms, a hydrotherapy pool, a gym and a specialist kitchen designed to support pupils with additional needs.
Outside, the development will include three playgrounds, three outdoor teaching spaces and a 60-space car park, with six electric vehicle charging bays and five disabled parking spaces.
Once fully operational, the new site will increase Woodlands Secondary School's overall capacity to up to 385 pupils across its two locations.
Senior council leaders, school representatives and construction partner Morgan Sindall Construction attended the ceremony to mark the start of the next stage of the development.
Councillor Amjid Ali, leader of Luton Council, said: “Demand for specialist school places in the town has grown, and our existing provision is under increasing pressure.
“We’re building on the success of a school that already has a strong track record, and this expansion means more young people will have the opportunity to benefit from the education and support the school provides.”
He added: “This investment is about helping more children fulfil their potential and giving their families confidence that the right specialist provision is available in Luton.”
Rod Pavey, area director for Morgan Sindall Construction in the Northern Home Counties, said: “There is a growing need for specialist school places in Luton, and this project is an important step in helping to meet that demand.
“It brings us great pride to begin construction of this school facility, working with Luton Council to bring this vision to life. And we can’t wait to get to know the community along the way.”