(UK) Cheltenham: 200 place special school given go ahead; 70 staff
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
'The fact it will cater for 200 children across both junior and senior years is brilliant'
“Brilliant” plans for a much-needed 200-pupil special school in Cheltenham has been given the go-ahead.
Gloucestershire County Council has granted itself permission today (March 19) for the new all-through special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) school to be built on the former St Benedict’s School Playing Field in Arle Road.
The school will be for pupils with complex learning difficulties, with classes arranged primarily according to need rather than age.
It will be mainly for ambulant pupils, with facilities also designed for those with mobility difficulties.
On a typical day the school will accommodate around 70 on‑site staff, which would be around 25 teachers, 40 teaching assistants and five administrative staff, with around 35 part‑day catering staff, lunchtime assistants, caretaker. . . .
“Within Gloucestershire there are currently 6,500 children with education, health and care plans,” she said.
“Those children represent the highest level of support needs to access education and include some of the most vulnerable children in our society.”
She said the figure continues to rise year on year and there is a need for specialist places as children and young people are waiting a long time for a place to become available
“It places a huge strain on them and their families,” she said.
Andrew Buckton, who spoke on behalf of Enable Trust, also spoke at the meeting and said their core purpose is to provide a specialist curriculum to meet the needs of children with complex disabilities. . . .
“I know first hand, talking to local families, the demand we have in Cheltenham for another special school on our doorstep,” he said.
“The fact it will cater for 200 children across both junior and senior years is brilliant.” . . .
Comments