Sir Peter Hall School has announced two new headteachers.

Catharine Wensley and Jo Pettingale will jointly lead the Sir Peter Hall School when it opens on Airfield Road, on the Moreton Hall estate.

The school will have an initial intake of 40 students, building to 80 students over the next three years, for children aged nine to 16 year olds.

In a joint statement, Ms Wensley and Ms Pettingale said: “We are delighted to be appointed the new headteachers of this much-needed bespoke special school for students with social emotional and mental health needs.

“Opening a new school is a huge honour and it is wonderful to see the Sir Peter Hall School coming to fruition. We look forward to welcoming children and their parents as they prepare to start here from September.”

The school recently hosted a recruitment evening and the new headteachers said the success was in keeping with the support they had received so far.

They said: “We are very pleased to be already working closely with our neighbouring primary and secondary schools.

“As symbolised by our logo of the caring hands and the book, we will provide academic subjects in line with the National Curriculum and a bespoke, nurturing environment to prepare our learners to lead fulfilling lives.

“We look forward to working with the community and making our contribution to the local area.”

The school, which will be opened by the Unity Schools Partnership, has been built by Suffolk County Council as part of their significant investment into increasing specialist education places across the county.

Tim Coulson, chief executive of the trust, said, “Catharine Wensley and Jo Pettingale bring many years of successful experience working as teachers and leaders in both mainstream primary, secondary and special schools and have already attracted much enthusiasm and interest as they appoint staff to the school.”