A new all-age special school could be built in Rugeley, along with a new primary unit in Stafford, under plans set to go before Staffordshire County Council's Cabinet on 15 July.
The Rugeley special school
If approved, the school would be built on the former Hagley Park Academy site in Rugeley and would support children from reception age through to secondary school with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs and Autism Spectrum Condition. It would offer around 180 places and is expected to open in September 2029.
The aim is to keep more Staffordshire children in local schools, rather than travelling long distances for specialist education.
The Stafford pupil unit
The funding would also pay for a new primary Pupil Referral Unit in Stafford, offering up to 16 places for younger children who need extra support outside mainstream school, with the goal of helping them return to mainstream education where appropriate.
What the council says
Councillor Janet Higgins, Cabinet Member for Education and SEND, said: "We want every child with SEND to get the right support at the right time, as close to home as possible. These new places will help more children and young people get the right help earlier, in the right setting, so they can settle, make progress and thrive."
Have your say
A public consultation on the special school is already open and closes on 17 July. Both projects would be funded through a government grant called the High Needs Provision Capital Allocation.
Source: staffordshire.gov.uk
