Origins of move to new school
Thurrock became a unitary authority in April 1998.
In September of the same year, when a new (at the time) Head was appointed, each of the three special schools in existence at that time (Knightsmead, Woodacre and Treetops) were asked to express a declaration of interest in developing specialisms they wished to pursue. Knightsmead and Woodacre declared an interest in developing provision on the SLD/PMLD continuum. At Treetops, we expressed an interest in maintaining provision for young people with moderate learning difficulties whilst developing more specialised provision for pupils with autism, speech, language and communication difficulties and ADHD.
Aerial view of the building site of our new school at Buxton Road.
The result of this was that by 2002, numbers at the other two schools had diminished while places at Treetops were increasing year on year. It was decided, following public consultation exercises, to close Knightsmead and Woodacre schools and re-open them as one school – Beacon Hill.
The idea of a move to a purpose-built new school came from a cultural exchange trip made by the Head (Paul Smith) along with policeman Pat Mahoney and fire-fighter Dave Parrott to Essex, Connecticut, USA.
Whilst there, the Head visited specialist provision and was impressed with the space and facilities available. He was inspired to ensure our pupils received only the best.
On returning to England, meetings were arranged with local authority officers: Principal Educational Psychologist, Val Edmonds, and Special Needs Services Officer, Helon Hamilton.
Grand opening ceremony by 2003 Rugby World Cup player, Jason Leonard (centre), Governor Alan Peaford (left) and Headteacher Paul Smith.
Places at Treetops were at a premium (as they still are) and the school had been asked to develop across two sites – the old Treetops site in Dell Road and the old Knightsmead site in South Ockendon. Following a lengthy consultation period, the school agreed to work on two sites on condition that a new site was acquired and a new school built, which could accommodate all pupils on one site.
Treetops moved to its new site in Buxton Road in February 2008.