The cost of establishing a new Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) school in Derby has risen by over £1.7 million, according to a recent report from the Derby City Council. An urgent council meeting has been scheduled for February 19, 2024, to discuss the necessary additional funding for relocating Castle School to St James House on Mansfield Road later this year.
The revised total cost for the project is now estimated at just over £2.5 million. The Labour-led council previously approved the acquisition of St James House and the necessary renovations to convert the building into a school in November 2024. Last year, planning permission was granted for the upper floors to be transformed into a SEND education facility, which will accommodate up to 100 pupils, an increase of 60 places from the current capacity at Castle School located on Cedar Street.
Despite these developments, the ground floor of St James House will continue to house an engineering consultancy firm. The council has emphasized the importance of having the new school operational by September this year, but the financial demands of meeting this deadline have escalated.
According to the council, the cost increase is primarily attributed to “previously unforeseen but essential requirements.” Key modifications include necessary upgrades to meet current fire safety regulations, improvements to the ventilation systems, and the installation of new windows to ensure adequate noise insulation and comply with planning conditions.
A council report outlined the approach taken thus far: “A phased approach to the design and works has been undertaken, and the council has already successfully completed works to the third floor of the building, allowing for the phased occupation of children, young people, and staff.” The initial costs for this stage were managed within the original budget. However, the total projected cost for completing the remaining work has now risen to £2.553 million, requiring an additional budget approval of £1.753 million.
The new school aims to provide a “first-class inclusive environment” along with a “state-of-the-art learning and therapeutic environment” for its pupils. The upper section of St James House has previously served educational purposes when St Mary’s Catholic Primary School temporarily relocated there following a fire at its 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. Blagreaves councillor Sara Bolton reassured attendees that comprehensive safeguarding measures are in place. “The safeguarding issues were gone through with a fine-tooth comb. There is an entrance intercom and there is a CCTV camera,” she stated. “Please can I assure members that safeguarding has been covered. The trust would not have allowed St Mary’s to move here temporarily after the school fire if the safeguarding was not sufficient.”
As the council prepares for the upcoming meeting, the focus remains on addressing the budget increase while ensuring the timely establishment of a facility that meets the needs of its future students.
