Hull approves £26m Willowfield SEND School plans
Following the submission of plans in February, Sewell Construction will be able to crack on with the 44,000 sq ft two-storey building later this year following final sign-off from the Department for Education.
Hull City Council is delivering the school in partnership with Hull Esteem LEP, with funding from the Department for Education. The wider project team includes Avison Young as planner and architect Watson Batty.
Located on land east of the existing Frederick Holmes School on Inglemire Lane, the school will cater for 125 pupils with severe physical and/or learning difficulties.
Plans for the school were announced in 2019, however increased costs have caused a series of delays on the project – with the budget rising from £19.6m to £25.6m.
Hull City Council previously confirmed the shortfall would be split equally between the council and the DfE.
Initially, work was due to start in 2025, however the new timeline notes that, if approved, construction will now start later this year.
Designed to be low-carbon, plans include classrooms, specialist teaching and therapy spaces, and a hydrotherapy pool, as well as hard and soft play areas and landscaping.
The council is working on the project alongside Humber Education Trust, with the aim of ensuring that children with complex needs are educated in environments designed to help them.
Both Frederick Holmes School and Platform Daycare Centre will remain open throughout the construction phase and access will be via a new road and pedestrian path from Inglemire Lane.
Cllr Linda Tock, portfolio holder for Children’s Services at the council, said: “Every child in Hull is entitled to an education in an environment that enables them to maximise their learning, so it is pleasing that the plans for Willowfield SEND School have been approved.
“This is an exciting project that would go some way to providing much‑needed additional SEND provision in the city.
“It demonstrates the commitment both the council and Humber Education Trust have to driving forward inclusive practice and widening opportunities for children and young people with the most complex needs.”
