Barnsley Council is being asked on Wednesday 7 October to approve plans for 40 specialist primary-school places for children with complex special educational needs and disabilities.
The proposal would transform The Mill in Worsbrough Bridge through major refurbishment and accessibility work. The investment is worth £7.37 million and would be funded through Government money already allocated to improve local SEND and alternative education provision.
Back in February, the council agreed to accept £9.4 million of Government funding for improving and creating specialist provision in Barnsley. The £7.37 million Mill project would be funded through the ring-fenced High Needs Provision Capital Allocation.
Work would include refurbishing and adapting the existing building, creating specialist teaching spaces, accessibility improvements and essential work including a new roof.
Waterton Academy Trust has been selected as the council's preferred organisation to run the school if the plans go ahead. If approved, the aim is for children to begin attending from September 2028.
The council says creating more specialist places locally could mean fewer children having to travel outside Barnsley for suitable education. It would also bring an existing council-owned building back into use for specialist education.
Source information
Source: Barnsley Council, Waterton Academy Trust