(UK) Notts: $907K for more SPED places; 'considerable growth' in disabled students

May 20, 2025, Nottinghamshire Live: Nottingham youth centre to undergo £675,000 [$907K] revamp to create special needs school places

E. Midlands

The added places will support pupils with 'severe learning difficulties, autism and other related diagnoses'

Part of a youth centre will undergo a £675,000  [$907,000] refurbishment to provide extra school spaces for students with special needs. An unused building at the Clifton Young Person’s Centre, on Green Lane, will be transformed to create school places for young people aged 16 and over with complex needs, particularly those with autism. . . .

A total of 16 students who are currently at Nethergate Academy’s Swansdowne Drive site, will move to the Clifton centre once works are complete in October this year. A further eight students will move to the Clifton centre in September 2026.

This move will help free up space at Nethergate Academy to support more younger pupils with special needs. The vacated building will then create 16 extra places at Nethergate Academy this October, with the further eight places available from September 2026.

The added places will support pupils with “severe learning difficulties, autism and other related diagnosis,” documents say. Works at The Clifton Young Person’s Centre will see new classrooms, upgraded toilets, a lift and improvements to outdoor areas. . . .

“The academy offers places for pupils with complex learning difficulties and disabilities including autism, social, emotional and mental health needs, communication and interaction difficulties, sensory and/or medical needs. . . .

Nottingham has a rising number of young people with special needs, and there is an “urgent” and “increasing need” to create more school spaces, documents say.

Documents read: “Nottingham is experiencing considerable growth in the number of young people identified as having SEND and there is an urgent, significant and increasing need for additional capacity to meet this demand. The Council is committed to supporting our schools and settings within the city to offer high quality, inclusive education.”