A SCHOOL supporting children with special educational needs has opened its doors in Crewe.

The Axis Academy opened at a temporary base in Warmingham in September while work on the new building was completed on a site once occupied by the former Lodgefields Primary School.

Staff and their initial roll call of 32 pupils have now moved into a permanent base on Lodgefields Drive as Cheshire East Council revealed how the new educational complex is part of a structured programme to increase places for children and young people with Special Educational Needs (SEND).

Axis Academy, run by the Youth Engagement Schools Trust, supports children with an Education Health Care Plan for Social Emotional and Mental Health, offering places to children and young people, aged four to 16 with special educational needs and disabilities.

It will focus on providing education to young people with mental health needs, supporting all areas from personal wellbeing to academic success.

The school will provide opportunities for students out of education or those who are not coping within the mainstream setting.

Councillor Kathryn Flavell, Cheshire East Council Cabinet member for children and families said: "It's such a great piece of news to see this wonderful school move into a suitable location to enable staff to continue providing an extremely valuable service to some of our more vulnerable children.

"It's a really difficult time in education with many of our children home-schooling, so to be able to share this news is a much-needed boost. Everyone involved with moving into the new building should be really proud of the achievement."

Nic Brindle, chief executive officer of the Youth Engagement Schools Trust, said: "As a trust focused on supporting some of the most vulnerable children in the northwest, we are delighted to get this superb building that will help our learners realise their potential and aspire to be more."

New headteacher Emma Colley, said: "We believe that children with special educational needs deserve the same opportunities in life as every other child. Our ultimate aim is to prepare children to be successful adults who go on to live happy lives."

Cheshire East's detailed plan recognised that many pupils with SEND had very long journeys to and from school, with one in five travelling more than 45 minutes each way and many educated outside of the borough.

The council says the last four years has seen "considerable capital investment" in Cheshire East schools to increase both the number of places for children and young people with SEND, but also to improve support and resources in mainstream schools.

Pupils at the Axis Academy have been taught for the last five months at The Stables on Warmingham Road on the outskirts of Crewe, but were moved into the permanent base a fortnight ago.

Education chiefs plan to expand the roll call to 48 by next year.

For more information on The Axis Academy go to.