Plans for new SEND school approved
PLANS for a school in Mansfield for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) have been approved.
The school, which will have capacity for up to 160 pupils aged from seven to 19, will be built on the former Ravensdale School site and is expected to open next year.
The plans were passed by county councillors on Tuesday.
The school will have dedicated sensory zones and calm spaces, and there will be separate entrances because of the sensory needs of pupils.
Arc Partnership, a joint venture between Nottinghamshire County Council and the not-for-profit Scape company, will design and costmanage the project. Construction will be carried out by Morgan Sindall.
The school is part of a wider council project to create a further 490 SEND school places by 2026.
From January 2019 to January last year, the Mansfield and Ashfield districts saw the largest increases in the number of Education Health and Care Plans, and together account for 35.8 percent of all new plans.
The plans were passed by the county council’s planning and rights of way Committee.
Councillor Sam Smith, cabinet member for education and special educational needs and disabilities, said: “It’s great news that planning consent has been given for this state-of-the-art, purpose-built facility, and is a significant step forward in making sure we have sufficient places for our SEND children across Nottinghamshire.
“It is also a key aim of our SEND place planning strategy to help more young people to access the education they need, near to where they live.
“As a council, we are committed to meeting the needs of children and young people with SEND, and their families, and to investing in providing much-needed special school places in Nottinghamshire.
“I would also like to thank my colleague, Councillor Andre
Camilleri, who identified this site and has been pushing for a school of this type in his division for more than two years. I know he’ll be delighted the application has been approved.”
Arc Partnership managing director Dan Maher said: “We are focused on delivering real value together and this school will be key to benefiting both young people and wider communities across the county.”
Each key stage at the school will be accommodated in either four or six classrooms, and there will also be satellite dining spaces to help children not be overwhelmed by larger central facilities.
The school will also have two all-weather pitches, sports storage buildings, a tarmac multi-use games area, car parking and a drop-off area for minibuses.
The car park will have four electric vehicle charging points, and there will be a further six in the separate staff car park.