Construction is set to begin on a new specialist school site in Coventry - as a sneak peek has been granted into what it’s expected to look like. It’s been seven years since pupils moved out of Woodlands School and former pupils were invited back for a one final look earlier this year ahead of the building’s demolition.
Last year, planning permission was granted for the city council to transform the Broad Lane site into a special school. It’s been confirmed that construction will now start next month.
Woodlands School closed in 2016 as part of a merger with Tile Hill Wood School to create West Coventry Academy. Officials said at the time that low pupil numbers was the main factor behind the decision and ideas for the site’s future initially included an education and sports village or even housing.
But it was decided that the site would be best used to address a growing need for SEND school provision. Once complete, the new site will see the specialist provision that is currently delivered by Woodfield Special School brought together from two separate sites to offer additional provision to the city. The refurbished buildings will provide a new home for both the primary and secondary phases as well as provide some much-needed additional places.
The council says there continues to be a growing demand for places for children with special educational needs and disabilities including provision for children aged 5 to 16, with complex social, emotional and behavioural difficulties. It’s hoped that bringing the schools together will make for improved facilities which will meet the needs of children in the 21st century.
Councillor Dr Kindy Sandhu, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills said: “We want every child in Coventry to have access to the best education. So, when the Woodlands Academy site was returned to the Council, we saw it as an opportunity to respond to parents’ wishes and invest in a new single site for Woodfield school, which currently operates on two split sites.
“Moving to one new site will provide a future-proofed, fit for purpose educational environment, offering a full range of facilities, including sports amenities, to learners. It will also mean we can create more efficient and improved facilities with purpose designed buildings providing greatly improved facilities for staff and pupils.
“Replacing old school buildings with modern, energy-efficient facilities will also help us to reduce the carbon footprint of the building.”
The former boys-only secondary school will be partially demolished, refurbished, and reconfigured as part of the work.
Although Grade II-listed, planning permission has been granted to demolish those buildings that are in poor condition. This means that the Council can preserve Coventry's heritage while providing some of the city’s most vulnerable pupils with modern facilities.
The demolition of the buildings is expected to begin in October 2023 and be completed by the end of December 2023. The contract also includes the internal strip out of the buildings that will be refurbished, which is expected to be completed end of February 2024.
The aim is for the new development to open by September 2025.
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