(UK) Wellingborough: Former school possible residential school for SPED students

Aug 20, 2026, Telegraph: Former Wellingborough school could become 'specialist residential school' for children with special educational needs as plans submitted

The former Victoria Infants School in Stanley Road, Wellingborough could be remodelled and brought back into use as a residential school for SEND pupils.

Plans were submitted in July and validated by North Northants Council (NNC) this month to convert the existing space into seven residential accommodation rooms, with additional plans to build an additional new two-storey structure to house 14 more rooms, fronting onto Gordon Street.

Should the conversion go ahead, the school would be expanded to house boarding pupils who require 24-hour care and support by way of specialist teaching, therapeutic interventions, and individual learning programmes.

A planning document reads: “The proposal involves the sensitive regeneration of the existing site to create 21 residential accommodation rooms within Wellingborough town centre. By repurposing this historic building, the development will preserve its character while delivering modern, accessible facilities that meet the needs of some of the most vulnerable children and young people in society. . . .

. . ."Importantly, this proposal responds directly to the increasing demand for specialist residential education and care for children and young people with complex disabilities and additional needs.

"The development will provide an essential service that is currently in short supply, enabling more children to receive high-quality, personalised support closer to their communities while reducing pressure on existing specialist placements.”   . . .