PLANS to amalgamate three local special schools, Rowdeford, St Nicholas and Larkrise, have moved a step forward after Government officials have given the green light.
With investment of £33million, Wiltshire Council has now appointed contractors Willmott Dixon to oversee the work to build the school and provide up to 400 places for SEND pupils aged from early years to post-16 on the Rowdeford site by September 2023.
When the plans were announced last year, there was opposition from parents of children at the schools who said they were concerned about the long travelling distances and unfamiliarity and stress the changes would cause to the youngsters who have special needs. Parents and supporters formed a ‘Keep special schools local’ campaign to fight Wiltshire Council’s decision.
Wiltshire Council say, “We want to ensure that all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities have access to a first class education for SEND pupils. The new school is key to these plans. After consulting extensively with parents, pupils, schools and the community, the council approved a number of recommendations including:
“The establishment of a new, maintained special school with a single leadership team to work across all three sites of St Nicholas, Rowdeford and Larkrise schools.
“Expansion on the existing Rowdeford site to accommodate up to 400 pupils as part of the new special school by September 2023
“Approve that the sites of St Nicholas and Larkrise stay in use until the new provision is ready, and then review if it is appropriate for children to transition to the new site at Rowdeford. This is to be established by approval by cabinet of further consultation on the appropriateness of transferring the provision of St Nicholas and Larkrise to the Rowdeford site no later than 12 months before opening all the new provision. This consultation would be determined by the demand for places, views of stakeholders and wider development of inclusive education for children and young people with SEND living in Wiltshire.
“The Office for the School Adjudicator (OSA) examined the proposals to amalgamate the three schools and establish the new, maintained special school with a single leadership team to work across all three sites of St Nicholas, Rowdeford and Larkrise schools.”
Wiltshire Council added, “The new facilities will operate as a “school within a school.” There will be a community of small teaching clusters that will provide a range of specialist teaching spaces, therapeutic support, and quiet dining.
“Each cluster will be designed to offer plenty of space to move around while maximising natural daylighting and ventilation to create an airy feel. The clusters will be designed as a standalone school provision for early years, primary, secondary and post-16. In addition there will be a hydrotherapy pool and outdoor learning provision. The new facilities both internally and externally will be fully accessible for all pupils at the school.”
