School creates SEND hub as part of £2m work

Clare LissamanWest Midlands
News imageHughes O'Hanlon architects An artist's impression of the extension. A single storey building has a larger building behind it. In front is a grass area with children playing. Hughes O'Hanlon architects
Shropshire Council said it was investing £33m in education in response to rising pupil numbers in the county, with £2m being spent on new provision at Whitchurch CofE Junior Academy - showcased here in a compute generated image

A new hub for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is being created at a Shropshire school as part of a £2m building scheme.

Work has started at Whitchurch CofE Junior Academy which will provide two rooms for the school's SEND provision and four additional classrooms.

Shropshire Council said the permanent expansion would replace "existing demountable buildings" at the school on Salisbury Road.

Andy Hall, cabinet member for children and education, added the extra classrooms aimed to "accommodate the growing current and projected pupil numbers".

Hall said the SEND hub would "help us offer more inclusive spaces in a mainstream setting in the north of the county".

The £2m outlay was part of about £33m that the authority was investing in education in response to rising pupils numbers across the county, he stated.

"This record investment in our schools is about giving our children and young people the best possible start in life," Hall said.

The firm carrying out the construction said pedestrian routes and parking provision would be kept open to minimise disruption.

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