More school places created for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities

Students with special educational needs and disabilities have today (Monday 8 September) officially started learning at a new site in Long Eaton as part of a £5m investment by Derbyshire County Council.

An extra 70 school places have been created at Brackenfield SEND School in a refurbished building called The Orchard which houses new teaching facilities for young people over the age of 16.

A former county building just 300 yards from the existing school has been renovated to support young people with SEND as they transition to Post-16 learning using £320,000 funding provided by the county council.

Cabinet Member for Children and Family Help Councillor Sam Redfern joined school leaders, governors, pupils, parents and carers for the official opening on Friday by students Meyra, Ashton and Szymon.

This is the first of six school developments to be completed using the initial £5m funding, part of an overall investment by the county council of £11m to create 300 additional places at special schools across the county. 

Councillor Redfern said: “I’m sure this new development will have a massive impact on all the young people who have started their learning journey at The Orchard today and for all those in the future.

“By refurbishing a former building close to the existing site, rather than building a new school elsewhere, it means young learners can move on to the next stage of their education in a location they are familiar with.

“We recognise that there’s always more to do and this is the first of six developments to provide places for pupils with special education needs and disabilities where they are needed most.”

Trish Turner, Executive Headteacher at the school which was rated outstanding by Ofsted in 2024, said: “We are so excited to be able to extend the provision in Derbyshire for children with complex needs.“The school was originally opened in 1959 with 60 children on roll. We are now able to meet the needs of 280 children, preparing them for the next stage of their lives.

“We are grateful to our community, local businesses and volunteers who have supported us over the last few months to get the building ready for the children.’

As part of the initial £5m investment, new classroom buildings are also being created at Alfreton Park School and Ashgate Croft School in Chesterfield and Bennerley Fields School in Cotmanhay while work is also being carried out to allow extra spaces at the existing buildings at Stanton Vale School in Long Eaton and Swanwick School and Sports College.

Areas with the greatest need of extra SEND provision were identified through council consultations with Derbyshire schools.

In addition to creating extra school places, the county council is also investing in Enhanced Resource Schools, SEND units, and education outside of school settings.