A new special school in Solihull is closer to reality after a key council meeting, promising vital support for local children with special needs.
Solihull: A new special school is on the horizon! It’s set to have 150 places for kids who need extra support. This comes after a meeting with senior councillors.
Last year, the Department of Education announced plans for four new special schools in the Midlands. Solihull was chosen after a successful application. Exciting, right?
The school will be located at the Sans Souci Training Centre on Tamworth Lane in Shirley. It’s currently a small training center, but soon it’ll be transformed into a school for kids aged 11 to 19.
It’s a big project, costing around £15 million, all funded by the Department of Education. The council expects a growing need for these special places by 2031, especially for older students.
At the cabinet meeting, they discussed granting a long lease for the site to the Secretary of State for Education. This is a crucial step in making the school a reality.
Peter Carroll, who oversees land and property for the council, mentioned that the free school bid was made back in October 2022. It’s taken a while, but they’re finally moving forward.
They plan to demolish the old buildings and create a brand-new campus. Green Party councillor Max McLoughlin, whose ward includes the site, expressed his full support.
He raised concerns about access, as the current lane is narrow and shared with a GP surgery. Mr. Carroll assured that a new access point would be created from Dickens Heath Road.
Councillor Karen Grinsell emphasized the importance of this step, wanting the school up and running as soon as possible. The council leader, Ian Courts, agreed, calling it a great decision.
