By John Baron
Pudsey Grammar School has submitted a planning application for a new teaching and learning space for children with special educational needs.
The school has applied to Leeds City Council for permission for seven years to build a single storey modular teaching facility which provides three additional classrooms with breakout spaces.
The temporary Portakabin facility will also include a kitchen area, office space and toilet facilities with associated ramp and pathways on the playing field and a new fire tender road leading to pedestrian access and building.
A design statement submitted with the application stated: “Pudsey Grammar School needs to provide much-needed accommodation at the school to provide a secure, safe, independent building (and surrounding outside area) that enables tailored learning, opportunities and emotional support for some of their most challenging students
“The core purpose of the Portakabin Building will be to enhance the learning, personal development and reintegration back into mainstream education for these students. It will directly contribute to raising achievement and promoting equality, inclusion and positive outcomes for all students involved.
“The increasing SEND and behavioural needs of their young people, alongside the lack of and cost of external offsite provision and specialist units, is placing additional burdens and challenges on schools to manage increasingly challenging behaviours. By developing this space, the school will build on its successful behaviour policy and will be able to increase the access to specialist provision for those vulnerable students needing that extra, tailored support.”
The application is due to be decided on or around 21 October 2025. It can be viewed or commented upon here.
Earlier this year £4 million funding for a new post 16 centre at the school was withdrawn by the Government.
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