Plans for Kettering SEND places submitted for new classroom block at primary school

The SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) unit at Greenfields Primary School, part of the David Ross Education Trust in Kettering, is to address the needs of speech, language and communication.

If approved, the new purpose built unit would replace a mobile classroom block on the site in Highfield Road.

Planning documents (NK/2024/0516) have revealed 32 places would be created over two academic years for children aged two to 11-years old.

The scheme includes a new building and a part adaptation of an existing bungalow to be finished and open in September 2025.

Four classrooms would be created in the new SEN teaching block along with a multi-use space to cater for both the ‘increase in student numbers, and to support the Local Authority in meeting the increasing need for SEND school places across the region’.

The documents say: “In addition to the classrooms the new block will also provide a sensory room, sanitary facilities and ancillary storage as required. The new block will be a self-contained separate unit but securely linked to the existing office building via a new fenced and gated walkway.

“The car parking area will be extended to provide a further 12 spaces and be separated from the school playing field and new building with a combination of planting, fences and gates. A more functional one-way drop off system will be introduced via the added car parking and new tarmacked area.”

Greenfields Primary School has a capacity for 480 pupils and the replacement of the current classroom block with a permanent would allow for a further intake of 20 children with

‘moderate complex needs’.

Class sizes have been recommended to be a maximum of 10 pupils per class.

Shared facilities would allow pupils to use the main school building for dining, PE, science and food technology.

The proposed single storey building’s large roof overhangs to provide covered areas and weather protection for outdoor play.

In June, North Northants Council’s executive agreed to spend £3,143,100 to provide 48 more SEND places in mainstream education across Kettering in units at Greenfields Primary School and Southfield School.

Neighbours have until November 2 to comment on the plans go to https://www.kettering.gov.uk/planningApplication/134031 and search NK/2024/0516