State-of-the-art academy building set to open in spring 2025

Yeoman Park Academy is thrilled to announce the opening of its brand-new building, scheduled to welcome learners on 28 April 2025. This purpose-built facility represents a significant step forward in providing outstanding educational opportunities for young people with autism spectrum disorder and profound and multiple learning difficulties and disabilities.

Designed to accommodate up to 138 pupils aged 3 to 19, the new building consolidates the academy’s facilities into a single, modern structure, combining one- and two-storey spaces tailored to meet the diverse needs of its learners.

Transformative facilities for inclusive education

At the heart of the new building are exceptional facilities designed to support and enhance the educational experience of every learner. The structure boasts high-quality teaching spaces, a fully equipped hydrotherapy pool, a multi-use games area, sensory gardens, and a spacious hall that, for the first time, will not need to double as a dining room. These features offer learners a versatile environment for academic growth, physical activity, and social engagement.

Each department—spanning from primary through to sixth form—will occupy its own dedicated wing, allowing for a stronger sense of identity and more targeted support for learners at each stage of their development. The thoughtful design ensures that learners of all abilities can thrive in a safe, stimulating, and inclusive setting.

This exciting new chapter reflects the academy’s ongoing mission to empower its learners, nurture their potential, and provide them with the skills and experiences they need to succeed—both within and beyond the classroom.

Frequently asked questions

Will Yeoman Park close during the build?

To ensure everything is set up safely and efficiently for this transition, the academy will be temporarily closed from Thursday 3 April until Monday 28 April inclusive of the Easter break. Please see further details of the academy closure below:

• Closed to pupils – Thursday 3rd April and Friday 4th April 2025
• Easter Holidays – Monday 7th April – Monday 21st April 2025 (Bank Holiday Monday)
• Closed to pupils on Tuesday 22nd April 2025 – Friday 25th April 2025

We will re-open to all pupils on Monday 28th April 2025.

Will I need to apply for a new school place?

No, if your child is currently on role at Yeoman Park Academy or has been accepted and has a start date then this will also mean they have a place at the new school.

Who can I talk to about my concerns?

Principal – Courtney Hoop

Contact via email: CHoop@Yeomanpark-ac.org.uk or call the academy on 01623 459540

Will the routines of pupils be affected/won’t building works distract pupils?

The staff will work together to ensure your child’s routines are not affected by the building works.

We are hoping to limit the impact on our pupils as much as we can, the majority of the existing classrooms and learning spaces are at the rear of the existing buildings away for the main construction site.

However it also offers an opportunity of those who are able and would like to, to look and see the progress of the new building and what the construction involves

The whole construction site will be securely fenced off from the existing Yeoman Park Academy site. Deliveries will be restricted to when they will not impact on pupils arriving and leaving or moving between Yeoman Park and Manor Academy

The construction company will be training their staff about the impact their work may have on some of our pupils, they will also put measures in place the reduce the times when loud noise is likely to occur.

However inevitably there will be some increase in noise and a close working relationship will be built to look at ways to reduce this or the time at which it needs to occur, out of school hours etc.

Will minibuses still be able to drop my child off?

Yes, new minibus parking and accessible parking bays will be provided close to the entrance under a canopy.

When will the work begin?

Work is underway and the new building will be completed and handed over on 20 February 2025.

When will pupils move into the new building?

Learners will be welcomed in to the new building from 28 April 2025.

What if a pupil gets on the building site?

The construction site will only be accessed by a secure gated and supervised entrance.

How will pupils walk between Manor and Yeoman Park Academy?

A safe and secure access way will be formed between the two schools.

Will there be any more pupils attending Yeoman Park Academy once the build is complete?

We are working in partnership with Nottinghamshire County Council, and they have requested that we increase the academy to take a number of new pupils, as such the building will be larger with additional facilities to allow for this.

What will parking look like?

Due to the new location of the academy, the entrance will allow for a much shorter access road from Park Hall Drive, dedicated minibus and accessible parking spaces, with additional spaces for visitors and staff.

What will the outside look like?

Around the building there will be new play and therapy spaces. These will be divided to suit our student ages and abilities.

However they can be joined together to allow for flexible use and will include an area for forest schools, a Multi Use Games Area, soft surfaced areas and outside dining area.

What will happen to the old building?

Once the new academy has been constructed, the old one will be demolished, this land will then be incorporated into both the new Yeoman Park Academy site and Leas Park School.

Will there be a therapy pool / will the building be two floors?

The new academy will have a purpose-built hydrotherapy pool and the building will be over two floors with a lift to access all areas for learners and staff.

If you have any further questions that haven’t been covered above, please contact us.