(UK) St Helens Star: New SPED school for social/emotional/mental health needs

Dec 23, 2020, St Helens Star: Plans for Penkford Special School at Red Bank unit in Newton https://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/news/18966007.plans-penkford-special-school-red-bank-unit-newton/ (NW England) ST HELENS Council has drawn up plans for the £6.8m [$9.2M U.S.] redevelopment of a maintained special school at the former Red Bank unit site. Back in September, cabinet members had approved proposals to relocate Penkford Special School in Wharf Road, Newton-le-Willows, to the former Red Bank education unit site…. Subject to planning approval and authorisation from the Charity Commission, a modern building would be constructed to improve the educational experience of some of the borough’s most vulnerable pupils that have a range of social, emotional or mental health issues…. …However, the development of the Red Bank educational offers the opportunity to increase places from 55 to 65 and create a more therapeutic learning environment to support young people to improve their emotional wellbeing, promote independent self-regulation, and build relationships and positive social interaction…. If planning consent is given, work on the new school is expected to start in the summer of 2021.