Children at Hammer Lane Academy in Sharlston are benefitting from a new specialist learning space designed to support continuity in education and reduce the anxiety often associated with moving to a new school setting.

Having welcomed its first pupils in September 2025, Hammer Lane has quickly established itself as an important provider of SEND education in the Wakefield district.

The new facility represents an innovative and sustainable approach to creating high-quality educational spaces. Constructed from repurposed shipping containers and finished with recycled composite cladding, it has been thoughtfully designed to provide a sustainable, modern, welcoming and inspiring learning environment.

Delivered through a successful partnership between Waterton Academy Trust, Wakefield Council and Carousel Group, the facility was officially opened this week.

Representatives from all partner organisations attended the opening event, including Coun Matthew Caton, Louise Lupton, Head of Service at Wakefield Council, Dave Dickinson, Chief Executive Officer, Laura Thresh, Head of SEND and Inclusion, both of Waterton Academy Trust, and Mark Smith, Director of Carousel Group.

placeholder image — Representatives from all partner organisations attended the opening event, including Coun Matthew Caton, Louise Lupton, Head of Service at Wakefield Council, Dave Dickinson, Chief Executive Officer, Laura Thresh, Head of SEND and Inclusion, both of Waterton Academy Trust, and Mark Smith, Director of Carousel Group.

It provides much-needed additional learning space for Key Stage 2 pupils, enabling children completing Key Stage 1 at Hammer Lane Academy to continue their education within a familiar setting and thus benefit from greater continuity in their learning, relationships and support.

Coun Matthew Caton, Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “This expansion at Hammer Lane Academy is another fantastic example of what can be achieved through strong partnership working.

"We are proud to work alongside Waterton Academy Trust to provide high-quality specialist education that meets the needs of our local children and families. This investment reflects our shared commitment to ensuring more children can access the right support, closer to home.”

Dave Dickinson, Chief Executive Officer of Waterton Academy Trust, said: “Through our partnership with Wakefield Council and Carousel Group, we have delivered a significant enhancement to Hammer Lane Academy in just three months.

"The project shows how innovative and flexible approaches to SEND provision can create high-quality learning environments that meet the needs of children and young people, while delivering real value for money.

"We’re incredibly proud of what has been achieved through partnership working and the positive difference this new facility will make to pupils and their families. We are now actively exploring opportunities to build on the success of this project, working with council partners to deliver similar innovative solutions and create much-needed additional capacity in response to local needs.