CHESTER North and Neston MP, Samantha Dixon, was welcomed by pupils at a school supporting children with special educational needs (SEN) as she helped open its new building.

Youngsters and staff at Rivacre Brook School were delighted to welcome Ms Dixon who enjoyed a guided tour of the school’s facilities. The MP and other invited guests, which included neighbours and families, were also treated to music and dance performances from the pupils.

Rivacre Brook School, which is close to Ellesmere Port, is part of Keys Group. The school supports children who have special educational needs and social, emotional and mental health difficulties. The new facilities will allow the school to support more than 40 children, with 32 attending the new Rivacre Brook site with a further ten children supported at the school’s sister location, in nearby Runcorn.

The school offers personalised timetables which meet the individual needs of every learner. The school has a strong focus on small group learning, with classes of no more than four students, each with a teacher and a teaching assistant.

After an extensive construction process, the newly refurbished building was recently completed and its facilities include brand new classrooms, food technology and music rooms, as well as extensive outdoor spaces. As part of the project, enhanced play equipment was installed outside, along with extended parking for staff and visitors. 

A special ribbon-cutting event was held to celebrate the completion of the project with VIP guest Samantha Dixon officially opening the extended facilities.

She said: “It was an absolute pleasure to meet the pupils and staff at Rivacre Brook. It’s clear that this is a very special place where children feel comfortable, where they enjoy learning and where it’s clear there’s real ambition and high expectations of what the children can and will achieve with the right support.”

Caroline McPoland, Head Teacher at Rivacre Brook, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Samantha to the school. The pupils and team very much enjoyed meeting her and were proud to show her and our other guests around the school and its brand new facilities.

“We strive to be a school where children can truly be themselves, where they are understood and where we can help make a positive difference to their lives. They loved meeting Samantha and sharing this first step on our exciting journey with her and our other guests.”