The anticipated costs for establishing a new Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) school in Derby have risen by over £1.7 million, according to a recent report from the Derby City Council. An urgent meeting has been scheduled for March 30, 2024, to seek approval for additional spending necessary to facilitate the relocation of Castle School to St James House on Mansfield Road later this year.
The total expenditure for the project has now exceeded £2.5 million, driven by several “essential requirements” that emerged during the planning process. The Labour-led council had previously approved the purchase of St James House in November 2024, which included modifications needed to convert the site into a functional educational facility. A planning application for the upper floors to serve as the new SEND school was granted last year.
This new school is expected to accommodate 100 pupils, an increase of 60 places compared to the current capacity at Castle School, located on Cedar Street. The ground floor of St James House will remain occupied by an engineering consultancy, while the new school will feature 24 car parking spaces for staff and visitors.
The urgency of opening the school by September 2024 has intensified as the council grapples with the cost increases. Officials report that the rise in expenses is primarily due to previously unforeseen requirements such as upgrades to meet current fire regulations, enhancements to ventilation systems, and the replacement of windows to ensure adequate noise insulation and comply with planning conditions.
In the council report, it was stated that a phased approach to design and construction has been implemented. The initial works on the third floor have been completed, allowing for the gradual occupancy of students and staff. The costs associated with this first phase remained within the original budget. However, the total cost for completing the remaining phases has now increased to £2.553 million, necessitating an additional budget approval of £1.753 million.
The council assures that the new facility will provide “a first-class inclusive environment,” designed to offer students a “state-of-the-art learning and therapeutic environment.” Notably, the upper floors of St James House previously served as temporary accommodation for St Mary’s Catholic Primary School after a fire damaged their original premises in 2020.
Concerns regarding the safety of pupils due to the shared use of the building were raised during a council meeting in September. Councillor Sara Bolton addressed these concerns, stating that all safeguarding issues had been meticulously reviewed. She emphasized, “The safeguarding issues were gone through with a fine-tooth comb. There is an entrance intercom and a CCTV camera. Please can I assure members that safeguarding has been covered.”
The upcoming urgent council meeting on March 30 will focus on securing the necessary funding to ensure the completion of the new SEND school in time for the upcoming academic year.
