A NEW multi-million pound pupil referral unit, one of the first of its kind in Essex, is set to be built in Colchester.
Essex County Council has submitted a planning application to construct a new two-storey building on land off Walnut Tree Way in Shrub End.
The new school, set to be called Walnut Tree Academy, will cater for 80 pupils, with 20 members of staff on site.
The pupil referral unit will cater for children who cannot attend mainstream school or are waiting for a place at a special educational needs facility.
New SEND school Colchester
Children will be mainly primary school age, but there will also be places for those with medical conditions and those transitioning to secondary school.
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Class sizes will be between six and eight pupils and the school could be complete by November 2022.
As well as the two-storey education block, plans feature a sports hall and outside games area. There will be 40 car parking spaces for staff and visitors with two disabled bays and two mini bus spaces.
Design - Walnut Tree School will have 80 places
A spokesman for Essex County Council said: “The council has submitted a planning application to develop an 80-place pupil referral unit on surplus land at the new Paxman Academy in Colchester, for November 2022.
“The new building will offer 30 places for primary pupils, 20 places for pupils transitioning from primary to secondary education and 30 places for secondary age pupils who are unable to attend school due to illness or anxiety.
“The new provision will be one of the first purpose-built pupil referral units in Essex and will offer much-improved facilities to our most vulnerable children and young people.
“This project is part of a wider programme to increase and improve specialist education provision across Essex.”
Aerial - it will be built near Paxman Academy
The existing pupil referral unit in Colchester is the North East Essex Cooperative Academy, in Turner Road.
Children are referred to a pupil referral unit if they need additional care and support.
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