Councillor Steve Forster, the County Council’s Executive Member for Education, said: “These plans will provide much needed dedicated space for children with ASC, as part of our ongoing investment in vitally needed specialist provision, including within our mainstream schools.”
The school currently provides education for up to 370 children aged between seven and 11 years old, along with specialist places for a further 16 pupils with Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN).
This new £940,000 project is set to deliver an extension to provide an additional eight places for pupils with ASC, including a classroom, supporting accommodation and a proposed external enclosed play space.
The development comprises a single storey extension at the front of the school, together with a proposed enclosed external play area. Together with the new classroom, other improvements will include a new sensory room, small group room, and other minor refurbishments.
The proposed extension to the building does not require planning consent, however a planning application was submitted for the proposed external courtyard, with a decision is expected in December 2023.
The school site will remain in use during the construction period, with work expected to start in early 2024 and complete in summer 2024.