A state-of-the-art learning environment, built to provide much-needed places for children and young people with special educational needs (SEN) across the borough of Rochdale, has been unveiled.
Located at Deeplish Primary Academy, the new provision has been developed in collaboration with Rochdale Borough Council and Focus-Trust and was made possible following a purpose-built extension at the school.
Opening its doors for the first time this week, the new facility will provide 24 places in total and support pupils aged 4–11 with speech, language and communication needs – one of the most common needs for children with SEN.
With demand for placements to support children and young people with SEN increasing significantly across the country, a similar trend is also being seen at a local level.
However, with this new provision alongside the recent opening of Heywood Academy, a new special school supporting secondary-aged children with SEN, the council, in partnership with local schools, is demonstrating its commitment to addressing the issue and delivering on its Raising Rochdale ethos.
The new purpose-designed SEN classroom.
Councillor Rachel Massey, cabinet member for children’s services and education, said:
“We recognise there is an increasing demand for inclusive educational opportunities in our borough, and we are working very hard to address this so more families with SEN have access to local places.
“Similarly, we know there is huge demand for support relating to speech, language and communication, which is why I know this provision will be really welcomed by our families and I want to take this opportunity to thank the school and Focus-Trust for their efforts.
“By having specialist resources like this in place across our borough, we are really enabling our children and young people to flourish as individuals and they can learn, grow and thrive in a school environment that meets their needs.
“I really look forward to seeing the progress that our children and young people will have here and I am sure they will love the new space that has been created for them.”
The facilities on site include 2 new cutting-edge classrooms, a sensory room, a playground and additional spaces designed to teach preparation-for-adulthood skills to help children thrive both academically and socially.
The new sensory room with interactive floor projector.
The project has also involved a complete refurbishment of the adjoining Deeplish Family Hub, to ensure it remains a vital community resource.
Helen Rowland, chief executive of Focus-Trust, added:
“We are really looking forward to the many years ahead of learning and watching our pupils excel in this fantastic new environment.
“We are really proud of how the school, Focus-Trust and Rochdale Borough Council have worked together to bring this much needed provision to the borough and we look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on our children and the wider community.”
The new intake of pupils will be split equally between Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, with 12 places each.