£800,000 plan for special needs youngsters in Sheffield neighbourhood
Facility would be for seven to 11 year olds
Sheffield Council is looking to spend over £800,000 to create a new facility for special needs children in the north of the city.
The money would be used for a facility for children with special educational needs at Stocksbridge Junior School, which would serve youngsters aged from seven to 11 years old.
A report which is due to go before Sheffield councillors on the Finance and Performance Policy Committee, on Monday (September 21), states: “There is a growing need for additional local Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision in the Stocksbridge area.
“Currently, families often have to travel further afield to access specialist support for children with communication and interaction needs. The project will create a dedicated Integrated Resource provision, helping to increase specialist educational capacity locally.”
Councillors are being asked to approve an extra £758.000, to give a total budget of £823,000 to develop an Integrated Resource provision at Stocksbridge Junior School for Key Stage two.
They are hoping to extend and remodel the existing classrooms at the school to create a facility, including specialist teaching and support spaces such as sensory area and a kitchen areas.
They are looking at an extension to a current ’modular’ building.
The report stated: “This approach makes effective use of the existing school estate, represents the most cost-effective solution, and delivers the additional SEND places required within the available budget.”
Under the plans, the work would be completed by the end of May 2027, and officials say it would reduce travel and transport costs for families in and around Stocksbridge.
They say it would also provide improved educational support and transition arrangements through closer links between local schools and specialist services.