By Updates on Scunthorpe’s new school
Earlier this month, plans for a new school in Scunthorpe were revealed. Now, North Lincolnshire Council have confirmed the preferred location as a site on West Common Lane.
The site has been selected due to its close proximity to existing post 16 education providers.
Building work is expected to begin summer 2021, subject to planning approval, with the school scheduled to open the following September.
Wellspring Academy Trust have been approved to run the new facility for post-16 students with special education needs.
The trust already has twenty other special and alternative academies.
Following the announcement of a government scheme to create up to 3,000 new school places across 37 new schools for children with special educational needs and disabilities, the new school in Scunthorpe will provide places for up to 60 pupils aged between 16 and 19 with special educational needs and disabilities.
It is hoped that this most recent development is to support young people into higher education and employment.
Pupils will be able to choose from a range of subjects including catering, the arts and technology to build upon their previous learning in core subjects.
Councillor Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said:
“It is brilliant the government has chosen North Lincolnshire as one of the locations to create a new Special School.
“We are committed to ensuring all children and young people in North Lincolnshire get the best opportunities to develop, learn and achieve great outcomes.
“Our ambition is for young people in North Lincolnshire with more complex needs to enjoy a first class sixth form experience in readiness for independence and success into adulthood.”
Mark Wilson, CEO of Wellspring Academy Trust, said:
“The fact that the Department for Education has granted Wellspring approval to deliver the Scunthorpe Special Free School, in addition to two further such projects in North Yorkshire and Sheffield, is testament to the trust’s extensive experience and proven ability in creating positive, nurturing and effective learning environments in this sector.
“Special needs school places are in increasing demand and we are proud to be able to play our part in meeting some of that growing need.
“This new school will ensure that more pupils can access the high-quality specialist education they need to thrive and will improve the long-term life chances of some of our most vulnerable young people.
“Creating new schools from scratch is no small task but the team at Wellspring has an excellent track record, with eight successful new school builds, including five Free Schools, completed to date.
“Having the opportunity to develop purpose-built schools specifically designed to support the particular needs of the pupils is great for Wellspring and will be fantastic for those who will be able to attend and their families.”
The new Scunthorpe school is one of five across the Yorkshire and the Humber area.
In total, they will provide over 500 new places.
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