By John Baron
A former doctors’ surgery in Stanningley could become a state-funded school for children with special educational needs.
The school would accommodate 55 pupils and will provide trauma-informed, therapeutic education for children aged 11 to 16 at the former Sunfield Medical Centre building.
Plans to change the use of the building by Burnley based Helm Academy would see the school run from 8.30am-3.45pm Monday to Friday. The school would employ round 20 staff.
A planning statement submitted with the application said: “The intention is to create a nurturing and stable environment where every interaction is underpinned by empathy, understanding and evidence based practice.
“There remains a clear need for SEND places in the area to meet the diverse and complex needs and ultimately improve outcomes for such pupils.
“The teaching staff will specialise in working with students who have special educational needs or disabilities staff and, in particular, will be trained to recognise and respond to the impact of early trauma, attachment difficulties and neurodiversity ensuring every pupil is met with compassion and a tailored approach.”
The applicant says school drop offs would take place on site.
Leeds City Council planners will now consider the application, with a decision due by mid July.
As previously reported by WLD, the Sunfield Place site has been empty since the surgery merged with Hillfoot Surgery in Pudsey in 2023. Plans to transform the building into flats were withdrawn last October.
The plans can be read in full here.
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I don’t know if this fits into that category, but the special needs schools run by private enterprises cost the local council tax payers a fortune. Its an expanding area, these academies are usually funded by Private Equity businesses, but the rates they charge the local authorities for placing children there are far higher than it costs the council to provide its own special needs places. That money would be best spent on expanding the state provision.