Cabin plan for Walsall primary school to tackle special school place shortage

The additional building will be installed at Lower Farm Primary School, in Bakewell Close, and will cater for four youngsters with complex needs, after it was granted permission by Walsall Council planners.

Headteacher Sarah Milner said the children should be in a special school but this wasn’t possible because of a severe shortage of places in the town.

Earlier this month, education bosses said an action plan was being drawn up to address the issue of a lack of places, with possible solutions including creating a new free school.

Statistics showed that a predicted shortfall of 92 primary and 25 secondary places for the school year starting in September.

Further data showed the shortages will be 81 primary and 106 secondary in 2023/24, 86 and 147 in 2024/25, 125 and 162 in 2025/26 and 149 and 168 in 2026/27.

Mrs Milner said: “The need for this provision on site is in response to the higher numbers of children in school with more complex special needs.

“The school currently has four children who have education health care plans. These plans mean that the children have 1:1 support in school.

“The needs of these children would often be better met in a special school."

However, Walsall has a severe shortage of special school places for younger children.

“There are also older children in school with significant learning difficulties who will benefit from this resource.

“The cabin will provide a base which can be furnished with bespoke resources to meet the needs of these pupils alongside the adult support.

“The position of the cabin in school was chosen for its close proximity to Early Years classrooms to ensure these children are still included with their peers at certain times of the school day.

“The site where the cabin will be installed was previously occupied by a larger structure. The cabin will require less space and aesthetically matches the design of the school building.

“The size of the cabin is well suited to the small group intervention. The windows will allow natural light and a good amount of ventilation, making it a positive learning environment.

“The position of the cabin on the playground is the easiest place to access for any pupils with physical disabilities to enter and exit school. There is vehicular access if required.

“The cabin is also next to the fire assembly point and in a position that is easily accessible to all staff.

“I am confident that this structure will positively enhance the development and learning of many pupils in our school.”