New name for £2.2m school

Pupils at a special school in Shropshire will be taught in new multi-million pound buildings when they return to class next year.

Trench Hall School near Wem, formerly a 19th Century country villa, has been transformed as part of a £2.22m development and has been renamed Woodlands.

The 28 pupils have been studying in temporary buildings for the last 18 months while building work was completed.

Now the headteacher says they will be able teach more 11 to 16-year-olds.

The development also includes outreach facilities and the entire site is to be known as The Woodlands Centre when it opens on 5 January.

Funding for the project has been provided by the Department for Education & Skills, Shropshire County Council, and the school.

Shropshire County Council's corporate director of education services, Liz Nicholson said: "This very extensive building work provides the school with the opportunity of fully meeting all areas of a wide curriculum."

Headteacher at the school, Robin Wilson said: "In January we will be returning to a new name and wonderful new facilities. It's a very exciting time for all of us."