Special needs school’s bid to build new primary

It is based in the former Sunderland High School’s Junior School, and was officially opened by comedian Rory Bremner, a patron of the ADHD Foundation.

He was himself diagnosed with the condition.

Education bosses have now lodged plans for a new primary school building to prepare the school for the future.

If approved, the hub would be built on a former hockey pitch on site which has not been used for several years.

According to planning documents, the development could create a total of 30 full-time equivalent jobs.

The Witherslack Group provides services for a range of special educational needs from autism spectrum conditions and asperger’s syndrome, to language and social communication difficulties.

Earlier this year, the group won planning permission for a new children’s home in Shiney Row which will serve Ashbrooke School.

A Design and Access Statement sets out the facilities the new building will offer for pupils.

This includes six classrooms, a food technology area, activity hall and sensory and therapy spaces.

The new build will also cater for primary age pupils with the remaining building used for secondary age students.

The Design and Access statement adds: “The Witherslack Group has reviewed the forecast growth and need for pupil places across the locality and consider that a new build, primary, specialist school is required.

“Many schools have previously benefited from works to their sites around the country.”

For more information, visit: https://www.sunderland.gov.uk/online-applications and search planning ref: 19/01651/FUL()