(UK) Mansfield: New autism school for 160 planned; 'to meet the demand'

 Mar 6, 2024,  Notts TV: New Mansfield special needs school due to be given green light

https://nottstv.com/mansfield-special-needs-school-due-to-be-given-green-light/

A school for children with special educational needs and disabilities will be a “fantastic achievement” for Mansfield, a councillor who has campaigned for it says. . . .

The purpose-built facility would take up to 160 children between seven and 19 years old with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other social, emotional and mental health difficulties.

Nottinghamshire County Council has brought the plans forward to meet the demand for special needs school places across the county. . . .

Councillor Andre Camilleri (Con) said: “I have been pushing for this in Mansfield for a long time – I first showed the site to the council two years ago and it has gone from there.

“Mansfield badly needs a facility like this as we have very high levels of SEND (special educational needs and disabilities).

“It will take the pressure off other schools which aren’t able to support children with special needs properly.

“It’s a fantastic achievement to finally get something like this built.” . . .

Around 40 per cent of all Nottinghamshire children with SEND live in Mansfield and Ashfield, although the school will welcome pupils from across the county.

The application will go before Nottinghamshire County Council’s planning committee on Tuesday, March 12, where it is recommended for approval. . . . 

Classrooms would have an ‘escape space’ and sensory zones to make it more accessible for children. . . .