'Exciting' plans for huge new special school take another step forward

‘Exciting’ plans for a new £17m school for children with special educational needs and disabilities have taken a step forward. The much-needed school would be built on the vacant Orrishmere Primary School site, in Cheadle Hulme, Stockport and cater for up to 133 pupils.

Stockport does not currently have enough SEND places, meaning that each year many children are sent out-of-borough for their education - a situation bosses predict is only likely to get worse. But in 2020 the council successfully bid for government cash to create a new SEND secondary school in the area.

A ‘free school’ it would be run by Prospere Learning Trust, which has four other schools in south Manchester. Now contractor Spatial Initiative Limited - which is developing proposals with the Department for Education - is to hold a public consultation prior to submitting a planning application.

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An exhibition day will be held at St Andrew’s Church on Monday, where residents are invited to view draft drawings and comment on the proposals. Presentation boards will also be available to view online from the same date. Images cannot be released beforehand due to strict Department for Education procedures.

Those developing the scheme say they are ‘keen to hear the views of the local community’ before finalising the proposals.

A flyer circulated to locals reads: “Members of staff from the school, the design team and the appointed contractor will be available to talk you through the proposed scheme and answer any questions you may have. Your feedback will be valuable in helping to shape the scheme before submission of an application for planning