Purpose-built school planned for children with special educational needs

Plans are being drawn up for a new, purpose-built school for children with Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in North Yorkshire.

The proposed new school near Selby signifies a major investment in SEND education in the County.

It is a key part of the County Council’s strategic plan for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities provision in North Yorkshire.

The purpose-built facility will be designed to support the needs of a wide age range of children with a range of disabilities and special needs.

It is proposed the school will cater for up to 100 pupils, potentially aged three to 19, on landscaped grounds on land owned by North Yorkshire County Council adjacent to Hull Road in Osgodby, just outside Selby.

In July, the Secretary of State announced an academy sponsor had been approved to run the new school.

Wellspring Multi Academy Trust is now working with the Department for Education and North Yorkshire County Council to design the school which it will operate following its opening.

Mark Wilson, chief executive of Wellspring Academy Trust, said: “We are proud to have been chosen to deliver this much needed school in North Yorkshire.

“Children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities deserve the very best support to enable them to meet their potential and thrive.

“The investment in this new school will provide exactly that. As a multi-academy trust with vast experience in both building new schools and delivering outstanding SEND education, we are confident we can offer pupils and their families something exceptional.”

Councillor Steph Duckett, member for the Selby Barlby division, said: “This proposed new school will provide the kind of high-quality facilities and education our children in Selby deserve.

“It would mean families no longer have to travel long distances, or out of the county, to find the special education their children need. There is a high demand for special needs school places in the Selby area and this demand will only increase as time goes on.

“It will also mean some of our most vulnerable children will have somewhere near their families, friends and local communities where they can thrive and achieve and we are looking forward to this school becoming a reality for families in the area.”

Executive member for education and schools, Cllr Patrick Mulligan, said: “Having a special school in the Selby area will bring significant benefits for children and young people with education, health and care plans.

“It will enable them to go to school in their community and with their friends, which will also support their social and emotional wellbeing.”