(UK) Darlington: $500K for special school for 30 students

April 30, 2025, Northern Echo: Further £375,000 needed to build new Darlington special needs site  

NE England

A further £375,000 [$498,000] is set to be allocated to build a new Darlington sixth-form centre for children with special educational needs.

The cost of the new facility at Beaumont Hill Academy has been updated following a detailed review of the project. 

Darlington Borough Council agreed in 2024 to refurbish the former Haughton Children’s Centre to provide a sixth-form centre for up to 30 pupils.

Council officials say there are “significant pressures” on the school’s capacity and relocating to the new site would help respond to the growing demand for places. 

“Remodelling the space vacated by the sixth form pupils will create an additional 30-40 high needs places for secondary age pupils with special educational needs and reduce reliance on expensive out-of-borough placements,” a council report said. 

Up to £466,000 has been spent on the project so far following an initial estimate of costs from a feasibility study in 2023.  . . .

Yet, council officials warned that any delays to the project could impact the site’s future. “The development is due to open in September 2025 and around 30 young people with Education, Health and Care Plans have been offered places at Beaumont Hill based on this,” the report added. 

“If the funding is not agreed and the project does not go ahead, alternative arrangements will have to be made for those young people.”