Woking Opens £3.6m Aquinas Centre for SEND Students
A Major Investment in Local SEND Provision
Woking residents will see a significant boost to specialist education provision this autumn as The Aquinas Centre officially opens its doors at St John the Baptist School. This £3.6 million facility represents Surrey County Council’s commitment to strengthening support for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities across our community.
The centre has been purpose-built to meet the specific requirements of SEND learners, with thoughtful design choices that make a real difference to daily school life. The building features three dedicated classrooms, four therapy rooms, and a specially equipped teaching kitchen—allowing students to develop practical life skills in a supportive environment. Breakout spaces throughout the facility provide calm zones for students who need sensory regulation, while outdoor learning areas connect classroom education to nature-based activities.
This investment directly addresses the growing need for specialist places in our local area. Initially welcoming six Year 7 pupils in September 2025, the centre will eventually expand to accommodate 30 students, providing relief to waiting lists that have strained resources across Surrey’s SEND schools. For families in Woking and surrounding areas like East Horsley and Dorking, this means their children may finally access the tailored education they deserve without lengthy commutes to distant facilities.
What Makes This Centre Different for Students and Families
Deputy Head Teacher Anna Dwyer has been clear about the centre’s philosophy: this isn’t about segregating students into a separate experience, but creating an integrated learning environment where SEND pupils thrive alongside their peers. That distinction matters enormously to parents and educators who’ve long advocated for genuine inclusion rather than isolation.
The teaching kitchen isn’t just a classroom feature—it’s a life skills hub where students develop independence in meal preparation, nutrition understanding, and social interaction through shared cooking activities. The four therapy rooms accommodate occupational therapy, speech and language support, counselling, and sensory interventions tailored to individual needs. These aren’t clinical spaces but purposeful learning environments.
The breakout areas reflect understanding that some students require regulated environments to manage sensory input or emotional regulation—a recognition that makes the difference between a student thriving or struggling through the school day. Outdoor learning spaces extend education beyond four walls, particularly valuable for young people who learn best through nature-based, kinaesthetic activities.
For families across Woking, Horsley, and neighbouring communities, this represents genuine progress toward a mainstream school system that actually accommodates diverse learning needs. Parents report that accessing specialist support often required battling bureaucracy or accepting inadequate provisions. The Aquinas Centre signals change in that landscape.
What Comes Next: Expansion Plans and Community Impact
While September 2025 marks the centre’s opening with an initial intake of six Year 7 students, the real community impact unfolds as expansion continues. Growing to 30 specialist places represents a substantial addition to local SEND capacity—potentially reducing waiting lists that have affected families across Woking, Guildford, and surrounding areas.
Community organisations supporting SEND families should begin connecting with St John the Baptist School to understand how the centre can serve their constituents. Parent groups, local disability advocacy organisations, and health services working with young people should establish relationships with the Aquinas Centre team to ensure coordinated support and smooth transitions.
Residents should also watch for announcements about community involvement opportunities. Many specialist facilities benefit from volunteer support, mentoring programmes, and local business partnerships—whether that’s professionals offering work experience placements or tradespeople (like bathroom fitters and kitchen renovation specialists) who might offer apprenticeship opportunities to older SEND students developing vocational skills.
For local schools in Woking and nearby areas, this facility may reduce pressure on mainstream settings managing complex SEND cases, potentially improving resources available to all students. Families with children identified as needing specialist provision should contact their local authority about accessing the Aquinas Centre, as places will fill quickly once word spreads about this genuinely inclusive approach to SEND education.
Source: SEND school facility built in Woking under £3.6m council project
