Plans to redevelop school site for SEN provision
GooglePlans for a school providing 180 additional places for children with special educational needs (SEN) have been submitted.
Durham County Council is planning a redevelopment of the former Fyndoune Community College site in Sacriston, which closed in 2021.
A pre-application for the redevelopment was submitted to the council with hopes to begin work in the new year, the Reform UK-led council said.
The authority's cabinet member for children and young people's services, Cathy Hunt, said it would allow secondary pupils with SEN to stay closer to home and help those unable to attend schools to "make the transition back".
Fyndoune Community College closed in April 2021 following a merger with Durham Community Business College for Technology and Enterprise in Ushaw Moor.
The mixed school taught pupils aged 11 to 16, and did not have SEN provision.
The new facility is set to cater for pupils with SEN, including secondary school-aged children who require additional support.
SEN investment
Hunt said: "We will also make sure that the updated facilities will benefit the community, offering access to both indoor and outdoor facilities for residents, promoting positive health, wellbeing and community engagement."
The announcement comes after the council launched a capital programme earlier this year, aimed at improving schools, children's and adults' social care, and infrastructure.
Among the investments was £33.5m in special educational school provision, including a £13.5m investment in new facilities at Fyndoune and £26m for a new special school at Villa Real, Consett.
There were also plans to invest £7m towards Durham Cares, aimed at alleviating pressures on children's services, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.
A public consultation event will be held in the school hall at Fyndoune on 27 August.