Castle@Theale's construction well under way, confirms West Berkshire Council

Construction of a new secondary school provision for children with social, emotional and mental health needs is well under way at the site of the old Theale Primary School.

Castle@Theale, which will be run and managed by the Newbury-based Castle School, will take its first cohort of 12 children in September and will eventually accommodate 42 pupils.

Demolition and site clearance has already taken place and a new multi-use games area and car park is currently being constructed.

West Berkshire Council’s executive member for education, children and young people Dominic Boeck (Con, Aldermaston) said: “It’s very exciting to see this brilliant learning space coming to life.

“The Castle@Theale will be somewhere for these young people to grow both emotionally and educationally and we’re delighted to be enabling that.”

Refurbishment of a modular building has nearly been completed, and further work is planned to refurbish the main school site, old school house and to build a new horticulture and design technology block for pupils.