Hundreds of parents back school plans
SCHEME FOR SEN FACILITY GAINS SUPPORT
PLANS for a new Special Education Needs (SEN) school in Derby have been strongly welcomed by hundreds of parents who say it is “absolutely needed” in the city.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) reported last week that plans had been drawn up and submitted to council planning bosses for a former Polish community centre on Kedleston Road to be converted into a new schooling establishment.
It is hoped that in the long-term, the new school, if given the green light by Derby City Council, will have capacity for 60 pupils aged between three and 19 with learning difficulties. The school could also have a total of 30 staff on its books.
If approved, it would be run by established SEN provider Hopedale Children and Family Services Ltd who run other schools in Cheshire, Staffordshire and Walsall. The new school’s opening hours would be 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday with pupils on site between 9.20am and 2.40pm.
The article about the planning application created wide interest with thousands of page views and hundreds of likes expressed on social media (one post having very close to 600 likes), as well as dozens of comments from parents in support of the proposals. Parents on social media have described the latest plans as “brilliant news” and that it would become a “special place” if it got the go-ahead. They claim more SEN provision facilities in Derby are needed to help children with learning difficulties. This is echoed in the planning documents in which the applicant claims there is high demand for SEN facilities in Derby. Taking to Facebook one parent said: “Brilliant news, need more to address the shortfall of SEN facilities for children. Another parent said: “Derby and Derbyshire desperately needs more SEND focus and specialist support. I hope this is a step in the right direction.” And another Facebook user added: “Hope this goes ahead - absolutely needed.” A planning statement, on behalf of Hopedale Children and Family Services Ltd, said: “The proposed SEN school is in demand in Derby city location and the site is highly suitable for the identified school use.
“The applicants have considerable experience of setting up and running educational establishments and are confident that this site is perfect for their needs.”
A decision on the plans could be made by Derby City Council as early as next month.
Derby and Derbyshire desperately needs more SEND focus and specialist support. I hope this is a step in the right direction