Plans to relocate and expand a school for children with severe learning difficulties are to progress, with the publication of a formal statutory notice.

Breakspeare School currently offers 97 places to pupils with severe learning difficulties (SLD) – aged three to 19 – at its location in Abbots Langley.

But previous reports revealed that education chiefs have drawn-up plans to relocate the school to a site in Croxley Green, where it would be able to take up to 210 pupils.

According to the proposals, the school would move to a purpose-built net zero carbon building on a site formerly used as playing fields for Durrants School.

Now on Monday (February 21), a meeting of the council’s cabinet agreed to progress to the publication of a statutory notice.

 

The land in Croxley Green earmarked for the relocated school. Credit: Google Maps

The land in Croxley Green earmarked for the relocated school. Credit: Google Maps

 

In making the case for the move, executive member for education, libraries and lifelong learning Cllr Terry Douris pointed to the age of the existing building and the mounting demand for school places for children with severe learning difficulties.

“The existing school building in Abbots Langley is just about over 70 years old,” he said.

“It was built in 1947 as a mainstream school – and it has survived very well."

Cllr Douris stressed that the plans would increase the pupil numbers to 210 – and that the proposals had the backing of the Sunflower Learning Trust.

But he did recognise that there had been some concerns raised during an initial period of public consultation.

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According to a report presented to the cabinet there were 249 responses to the initial consultation – with 110 of those responses saying they disagreed with the proposal.

The report says: “The issues raised will be explored in detail during separate town planning processes, when detailed plans have been developed and would be subject to a separate consultation.”

Leader of the council Cllr Richard Roberts told councillors this would be a ‘school fit for the future’ and that it would help to meet the needs of an expanding SEND population in the county.

Following the publication of the statutory notice, there will be further consultation with organisations, groups and individuals, that will last for four weeks or longer.

Any responses to the consultation must be considered before a decision can be made.