An Opportunity of a Lifetime

We’ve just been offered something truly incredible — the opportunity to use a piece of land in Haverhill to build a dedicated SEND school.

For families like ours, this is huge.

Knowing that our children could be supported in the right environment locally, surrounded by understanding, patience and the right support, would mean everything to so many families.

This land has the potential to become a safe, nurturing school environment for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, where they can learn, regulate and grow in a way that truly works for them.

But turning land into a school is a huge project.

The Reality of Building a School

Although the land has been offered to us, it currently requires significant work before it can become a safe and suitable school site.

Creating a school from land involves far more than simply placing a building on it. It includes ground preparation and site clearance, planning applications and environmental surveys, installing utilities such as water, electricity and drainage, creating safe access routes and parking areas, safeguarding fencing and pathways, installing classroom buildings, and developing outdoor learning environments.

All of these elements come with significant costs, but they are essential to ensure the space is safe, accessible and suitable for SEND children.

Our Vision for the School

Our vision is to create a nature-based SEND school, purposely designed with SEND children in mind.

Many children with SEND thrive in calm, outdoor environments where learning can happen in a way that feels safe and natural. We want to create a very outdoorsy, nurturing space where children can regulate, explore and grow.

Our vision includes forest school learning that encourages exploration, confidence and connection with nature. We want to create a wild sensory garden filled with plants, textures and calming natural spaces. There will be animal areas with animals such as goats, guinea pigs and other small animals that help support emotional wellbeing, empathy and confidence.

We also plan to build wooden log cabin classrooms that create small, calm learning spaces designed to reduce overwhelm and support personalised learning. Alongside this, there will be outdoor therapeutic spaces where children can regulate, develop life skills and connect with nature.

Everything about the school will be purposefully designed with SEND children at the centre of it.

We Have Already Proven What Is Possible

Sunflower SEND Hub was created by SEND parents who understand the challenges families face.

In a short space of time, the hub has grown into a trusted and valued community space supporting SEND children and their families. The response from families has been overwhelming.

Parents are asking for more support, more safe spaces and more opportunities for their children to learn and thrive.

Now we want to take the next step and create the school that so many children desperately need.

How Donations Will Be Used

All funds raised through this page will go into a separate dedicated fund solely for the development of the school.

This money will only be used for preparing and developing the land, creating safe learning environments, installing log cabin classrooms, developing forest school and outdoor learning areas, creating sensory gardens and therapeutic outdoor spaces, and installing the essential infrastructure needed to safely operate a school.

We will also be applying for every grant and funding opportunity available, and Sunflower SEND Hub will continue to contribute towards the project.

But a project of this size cannot be achieved alone.

The School Will Happen

We are completely determined to make this vision a reality.

This school will happen — because the need for it is simply too great.

But with the support of our community, we can make it happen sooner and create something truly special for SEND children in Haverhill.

Every donation, no matter the size, helps us take another step closer to making this dream a reality. If you are unable to donate, simply sharing this page can also make a huge difference.

Thank you for supporting Sunflower SEND Hub and helping us create a brighter future for SEND children.