Pupils and staff at Highfield Littleport Academy in Littleport, Cambridgeshire, were delighted to add their stamp to a new extension that is being built at their school.
 
At a special ceremony, pupils and staff had the opportunity to sign the steels that are being used to support the new building.
 
They then excitedly saw the steels being placed into position by contractors RG Carter.
 
Freddy, who was present at the ceremony, was one of the original students who has been at Highfield Littleport since it opened nearly eight years ago. 
 
He is now witnessing the next stage of Highfield’s development and said: “I was here at the beginning and now the school is getting bigger!”
 
Highfield Littleport is expanding to better accommodate the growing number of pupils who require special school places in the area.
 
The new extension will be a two-storey building with five main classrooms with state of the art sensory facilities and a life skills base, to further prepare young people for their next steps in education, work and life.
 
The extension, which is being funded by Cambridgeshire County Council, will provide 50 additional school spaces and is due to take its first wave of additional pupils in January 2026.
 
Highfield Littleport provides a nurturing and inclusive environment for children and young people, aged two to 19 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). 
 
Yvonne Skillern, Headteacher of Highfield Littleport Academy, said: "We are all getting excited about the much-needed expansion to our school for our young people. It will provide excellent opportunities to prepare our children for adulthood.” 
 
Jo German, Capital Project Officer from Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “It is great to be able to work collaboratively with Highfield Littleport to deliver this fantastic project for the learners of Cambridgeshire.”
 
Will Robinson from R G Carter said: "We are delighted to be working with Highfield Littleport Academy and Cambridgeshire County Council to help enhance this much-needed bespoke SEND provision. 
 
“It was wonderful to see the pupils make their mark on the steel structure, and the excitement as it was lifted into this new extension which will help make such a big difference to their education and development."