New satellite special school planned for Mansfield

A temporary school for children with additional needs could be built in the currently-empty buildings of another school in Mansfield, education bosses have said
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A consultation on the plans is due to be launched, and if approved, it is hoped 24 places for primary aged pupils would be provided.

Based in currently unused classrooms at King Edward Primary School in Mansfield, it would be the first ‘satellite school’ in the county, meaning it would be operated by Carlton Digby, a special school based in Gedling which is currently rated as ‘outstanding’ by OFSTED.

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An approved Nottinghamshire County Council report said: “There is considerable pressure in Nottinghamshire to find special school places.

The new special school could be based at King Edward Primary School in Mansfield. Photo: Google EarthThe new special school could be based at King Edward Primary School in Mansfield. Photo: Google Earth
The new special school could be based at King Edward Primary School in Mansfield. Photo: Google Earth

“As of November 2020 there were 90 children and young people who were awaiting a special school place with further requests in process.

“A high percentage of these have needs in the area of social, emotional and mental health and autism.

“Where specialist provision is required and no special school places are available Nottinghamshire County Council has to seek placements in independent non-maintained provision or alternative educational provision.”

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“King Edward Primary and Nursery School in Mansfield is a mainstream school.

“There are a number of buildings not currently used by the school as classrooms and it will be possible to use some of these existing buildings to provide additional capacity and places for Carlton Digby Special School.

“It is proposed that the satellite school will have a maximum of three classes which is an additional 24 specialist places for primary aged pupils.”

After the proposal was unanimously approved on January 18, a consultation will now run until February 23, before a decision is made on whether to proceed.

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Coun John Peck, who represents Sherwood Forest, said: “I think this is quite a creative way of using some additional space that exist at King Edward Primary School site to create an opportunity for a number of special needs children

“I think this is something we would strongly support, because it’s a creative way of creating more special needs places, and I think we all acknowledge there’s a significant need for that in Nottinghamshire.

“I’ve said several times I think we probably need two new special schools, but that’s in the future and in the meantime we certainly support this and it’s a good way forward.”