Ground has been broken on the site of the new Churchward School.

The free school, which opened last year, currently has 75 students and is operating out of temporary accommodation at Bagbury Park, Lydiard Millicent.

But next year it will have a purpose-built home that can cater for 11to 19-year-olds with a range of disabilities.

Break-out rooms and safe spaces outside are part of the design.

Head teacher Dave Dearsley explained: “What also sets this building apart from others is the specialist teaching rooms that are integrated into the design.

“Students will have the opportunity to learn cooking skills, art, design, science, music, drama and dance in dedicated spaces.

“The whole building has been created with flexibility in mind and can adapt to the ever changing and diverse range of student’s needs to ensure that they have every opportunity to make the next steps in their lives, whatever they may be.”

He said: “This exciting project will result in a purpose-built school that will offer students a blend of therapeutic supportive rooms alongside general classroom spaces designed to support the academic, social and emotional progress of the students.

“There are break out rooms attached to classrooms and safe external areas for students to learn to regulate their emotions and actions.

It has been designed by architects Scott Brownrigg.

Students were at the turf cutting event alongside the headteacher and members of the school’s construction project.

Jackie Smith, chief executive of the Brunel SEN Multi-Academy Trust, said: “We are extremely pleased that Churchward School will have an exceptional, purpose built new resource for September 2020.

“This much needed Swindon provision will meet the needs of children and young people with autistic spectrum condition and social, communication and interaction difficulties.

She added: “We are very excited to be opening a fantastic new school and creating opportunities to work with neighbouring schools in Tadpole Garden Village.”

When permission was given to build the new F-shaped building Mr Dearsley said: “We’ve had specialist advice from the Department for Education and a lot of expertise.

“It’s also really helpful being part of the Brunel SEN multi-academy trust, which runs four other SEN schools in Swindon.

“We were able to talk to people from those schools and ask them what has worked and what has not worked there.”

Approval for Churchward to be set up was given in 2016 with the intention of providing opportunities to some of Swindon's most challenged children.