£10m school for SEND children in Dorset to open in January 2022
St Mary's near Shaftesbury will eventually cater for 280 children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
A date has been set for the opening of a new school school in Dorset for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
The former school, St Mary's Catholic School for Girls near Shaftesbury will open in its new role in January 2022.
Dorset Council bought the site for £10 million last year after the private school ceased trading.
Councillors are now hoping the school could be open to around 60 children at first, possibly under a new name, by January next year.
It's all part of Dorset Council's £37.5m plan to provide convenient education for children who can't attend a mainstream school. More than 250 Dorset children are sent away to independent special schools per year, costing around £14 million each year. It's projected the St Mary's site could save Dorset Council around £8 million annually.
Cllr Andrew Parry, Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Children, Education and Early Help, told Greatest Hits Radio Dorset:
“We have to be bold if we are to secure the best education for all children in Dorset. I am proud of these ambitious plans, which I believe will improve the lives of Dorset children and young people with SEND.
“I know people will ask ‘why are we spending money at this difficult time’ but we have to, firstly because we want to make Dorset the best place to grow-up for all children and young people, but also because creating our own high quality provision will save money in the longer term.”
Greatest Hits Radio Dorset was invited to have a look around the site.
St Mary's School Shaftesbury view left
Over 80% of people who responded to a consultation on how the school should be used said it should become a school for children with special educational needs or disabilities.
The January opening date will be part of a phased open for the school, which won't be complete until later next year. Initially only 60 children will be accepted at the school, with classes of around 8 students.
It's expected around 280 children could be accepted when it's at full capacity. It's not currently known how many local jobs will be created by the scheme.
A change of name?
During a press conference at the school, Children's Services bosses said there may be a need to rename the school.
Councillor Andrew Parry said:
"St Mary's is held with great affection but it is also associated with a particular type of education setting and it may be that in consideration of how we go forward that we have to create a slightly different brand and that may have a different name to it. But as I sit here today I don't think any decision has been made and that will be kept under review."
The press conference also revealed the creation of a charity to support the school.