Somerset Council places great emphasis on addressing the educational needs of students with EHCPs (Education, Health, and Care Plans). Somerset follows the “Local First” strategy, prioritizing nearby school options to minimize travel time and costs, encourage parental involvement, and reduce reliance on independent schools. As a result of this, in September 2020, it was decided that a standalone Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) base could be constructed at St. Dunstan’s School in Glastonbury.

The base is what is called an “eco-build”. It will be certified to Passivhaus standard – a low energy standard and design which ensures that the heating demand and related carbon emissions will be reduced by more than 75% when compared with current Building Regulations. All good stuff!

We are excited to update you on the progress of St Dunstan’s, we have been out and about on site and have snapped some photos of how the build is progressing:

The site before works began

Digging out the foundations

The walls being built

The outside of the building in May

We were also lucky enough to join some students taking a look round the base this month – here they are leaving their legacy in the walls!