New SEND school for Hereford confirmed
Pathway Schools is currently based in the Rotherwas industrial zone
An independent Hereford special school has been told it can expand into a second site in the city.
Pathway Schools is currently based in the Rotherwas industrial zone where it opened a school last year for up to 25 pupils struggling in mainstream education.
It then applied to similarly convert another former commercial building, 6 Harrow Road off Plough Lane on the other side of the city, to accommodate a further 20 pupils.
The school had discussed its plan with Herefordshire Council, which “is known to have a significant shortfall” of such teaching places, the school’s application said.
The building would suit the new use with minimal changes, it explained, adding the Harrow Road site offered parking spaces and a large outdoor area at the rear where a fenced-off games area will be created.
When in operation it will have a full-time staff of 15.
Approving the plan, case officer Josh Bailey said the loss of the commercial building was “significantly and demonstrably outweighed by the benefits” of its new use, given the shortfall in SEND places in the county.
The school has said that by increasing provision locally, there is less need for children to be driven long distances to attend suitable schooling.