Work has started on a new £4.5 million state-of-the-art facility to replace the Upper School buildings at Newman School in Whiston, Rotherham.
The Council’s Cabinet gave the go-ahead to the investment in November 2020, alongside the creation of a new school for children with Social Emotional and Mental Health needs (SEMH) in Dinnington.
The former pre-World War II rest sheds at Newman School have been demolished and will be replaced by six new classrooms, toilets, personal care rooms, group rooms, a library, soft play rebound room and a reception area, which will be ready for use next August.
The rest sheds were built in 1939 and used in the war effort before the first children were admitted to Rotherham’s oldest special school in 1948.
Newman School specialises in provision for children and young people with a range of learning difficulties and particularly those with complex medical needs. The new facilities include a focus on providing quality therapeutic and educational environments and will further enhance the school offer.
Cllr Victoria Cusworth, Rotherham Council Cabinet Member for Children and Young People Services said: “Rotherham Council is working hard to improve the range of places across the borough So these not only meet the needs of children and young people with special educational needs and disability but further enhance the learning environment
“Newman is a much-loved and long-established school which has enriched the lives of thousands of local children for almost 75 years. This exciting new building will provide much-needed classrooms and associated facilities for Newman’s pupils and staff and a modern, vastly-improved learning environment, which will enable our children to achieve their full potential.”
The transfer of Newman Upper School pupils to the former Dinnington College Campus has enabled the development work to go ahead whilst the remainder of the school remains open.
Rotherham Council is currently also working on a new specialist school for children and young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) difficulties at the Dinnington College too. The new school at Dinnington College ‘Elements Academy’ is on course to open this September and will be the only one of its kind in Rotherham. It’s being set up to meet growing need for specialist provision, underlining Rotherham Council’s on-going commitment to bolster places for children with special educational needs and meet increasing demand.
SEMH issues can include a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), attachment issues, a diagnosed mental illness such as depression or anxiety and sometimes include mental health issues experienced by children and young people with autism spectrum conditions.
Cabinet decision, November 2020 – https://moderngov.rotherham.gov.uk/mgAi.aspx?ID=88634