Oct 13, 2021, Chronicle Live: Rising demand prompts plans to move Northumberland special needs school https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/rising-demand-prompts-plans-move-21838739
Northern England
Northumberland’s only dedicated special needs school could complete a move to Ponteland next year if plans are given the green light.
Bosses at Northumberland County Council have approved the start of a consultation of the scheme to shift Atkinson House Special School from its current base in Seghill.
According to education chiefs a new site is needed to cope with a “steady upward trend” in demand for places for the most vulnerable youngsters, as well as delays to other efforts to boost the number of places.
“Some of the key issues highlighted include the number of children and young people in Northumberland who have been diagnosed with autism,” said Sue Aviston, the county council’s head of school organisation and resources.
“Those with social, emotional and mental health needs have been increasing, with significant additional capacity in the county’s schools being required year on year for the last ten years.
“Overall this has been a steady upward trend in demand for special school places, which equates to a seven per cent increase every year for the last ten years.”…
While Atkinson House currently caters for boys only, the proposed move to the site of the former Richard Coates CE Primary School building, in Thornhill Road, Ponteland, would also allow it to begin accepting female pupils.
According to a report for county councillors, this is needed to support the “growing number of girls who are being assessed as having Social, Emotional and Mental health (SEMH) needs in Northumberland"….
