logo
Special needs school applies for consent to expand

Special needs school applies for consent to expand

Yahoo29-04-2025
A specialist school for pupils with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs has applied for permission to expand.
The Meridian Trust, which runs NeneGate school in Peterborough, has submitted plans for a five-classroom teaching block, saying it is currently operating "at capacity".
The proposed development would create an extra 40 pupil spaces, which the trust says would help with "current overcrowding pressure".
Peterborough City Council said the plans would save the authority a considerable amount of money in providing school places.
The special school in Park Lane is the only one of its kind in Peterborough, and currently has 16 primary-age pupils and 48 secondary-age pupils.
The council says an additional 24 pupils in the city need an SEMH placement.
It has a legal obligation to give a school place to every child but in some cases this means children have to go to school outside Peterborough.
The council estimates it will cost £28m over the next decade, not including travel costs, to fund out-of-area placements.
As well as the new classroom block, Meridian has applied for internal remodelling to Key Stage One areas, a new multi-use games area on an existing playing field, and an extra 14 car parking spaces.
More than 2,700 children and young people in Peterborough are on education, health and care plans, which outline a child's needs, of which 14% have SEMH as their main need.
The council says this demand is set to increase.
If approved, the extension at NeneGate is expected to take on the new pupils in September 2026.
Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
City theatre to close for repair works
New garden unveiled for hospital staff
Sheep farmer's frustration over dog incidents
Peterborough City Council
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Free school uniform event at shopping centre
Free school uniform event at shopping centre

Yahoo

time7 days ago

  • Yahoo

Free school uniform event at shopping centre

Parents and pupils will be able to get free school essentials and clothing to help families save money in time for the new school year. Queensgate Shopping Centre in Peterborough will hold the Free School Uniform Event on 1 August. it will include primary and secondary school clothes which can be exchanged on the day near the centre's Superdry store. "Hopefully this can be an event that helps cut down on their costs in time for September, while also benefitting the environment at the same time," said Katy Cole, Labour and cabinet member for children's services at Peterborough City Council. She added: "Working in education and being a parent myself I am well aware of the cost of uniforms and how quickly youngsters grow out of them." The council said the event would include recycling games, upcycling and crafts between 11:00 BST and 16:00. It was organised by the city council's recycling education team and Peterborough Youth Council, with support from Peterborough Family Hubs. Danielle Daboh, the city's Youth MP, said: "The event is championing reusing school uniform and also helping to alleviate the stress for families during the back-to-school period. "It's also about signposting the environmental effects and economic benefits of events such as these, and hopefully we can do more in the future." The National Literacy Trust is set to attend the event alongside the Goal2Grow initiative, where fans can exchange pre-loved football shirts. Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. More on this story Mums 'fuming' over 'unrealistic' uniform costs Council to consider bid to save lollipop patrols School head wants to buck low literacy trend Related internet links Peterborough City Council

CCTV in taxis could make a 'real difference'
CCTV in taxis could make a 'real difference'

Yahoo

time31-05-2025

  • Yahoo

CCTV in taxis could make a 'real difference'

CCTV in taxis would "make every journey safer" for drivers and passengers alike, according to a Peterborough councillor. Daisy Blakemore-Creedon, who represents the Fletton and Woodston ward, is calling for CCTV cameras to be installed in taxis and private hire vehicles. According to the latest government figures, only 8% of authorities in the UK have a requirement for all licensed taxis to have CCTV fitted, equating to 21 out of 266. "CCTV can make a real difference," said the Independent councillor, who resigned from the Labour Group at the beginning of May. "It deters bad behaviour, helps resolve disputes, and gives people more confidence to get home safely, especially late at night, Ms Blakemore-Creedon said. "Drivers deserve that security too - many work alone, often in vulnerable situations. "This is a simple, sensible step that would make a big impact. I believe we owe it to each other to make every journey safer." In December Peterborough City Council voted against the CCTV plan, following strong opposition from many drivers. Jake Carter, a hackney carriage driver in Peterborough, said he had mixed feelings about the proposal. "My first thoughts were that it sounds like a sensible thing to do because you're putting extra safety and security in place," he said. "But after speaking to some of the other drivers and thinking a bit more myself, I think the concerns are that the cost of this CCTV equipment has to be borne by the drivers. "You can't just install the cheapest system, you've got to go with the one recommended by the council." Mr Carter said there concerns too that the CCTV would have to remain on, even when drivers are using their taxis as their own private vehicles. As reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, he also said there were already safety measures in place on hackney carriages, "which mitigate the risks". "If it was to be worked a bit differently where a council took the cost and allowed drivers more flexibility about when the CCTV could be switched on or off, then it might be something the drivers would consider," he said. "It should be sold as benefiting the drivers as much as benefitting the public." Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Peterborough City Council Cabbies 'ecstatic' after mandatory CCTV rejected Taxi drivers 'apprehensive' about vehicle CCTV vote CCTV to become compulsory in town's taxis

Charity blown away by support to keep green space
Charity blown away by support to keep green space

Yahoo

time14-05-2025

  • Yahoo

Charity blown away by support to keep green space

A charity fighting to save its open green space from being turned into a housing development said it had been "blown away" by the community's support. The Green Backyard forms part of a plot on London Road, where Peterborough City Council suggested 48 homes could be built under its draft Local Plan. On Saturday, more than 600 people attended a community day to campaign against the idea. City artist Nathan Murdoch from Street Arts Hire supported the event by painting a mural of a girl trying to stop a bulldozer. The council encouraged residents to take part in a consultation on the proposals and said "the plan is still in draft form". Mr Murdoch was joined by other artists from Angry Pencils and local children who created their own art. Charity trustee Lewis Vurnam said the "powerful picture" reflected the situation. "Pictures speak a thousand words, and this one highlights our situation - It is a poignant one," he said. "On Saturday, it was beautiful to see the community come together for a positive cause. "The need for housing is apparent. But with those houses comes the need for infrastructure and green spaces. It is about working with council planners to see how we can keep this place." The organisation, set up in 2009, runs several projects, including the Men Shed, the community payback scheme and community gardening projects for adults and young people. Julie Danby, who runs Refill Revolution at the site, described it as an "oasis in the middle of the city centre". "It is really sad they want to take this away," she said. "There is hardly any open space in this part of the city. People are horrified it would be turned into houses. "We need everyone to comment on the draft plan and share their views on why the Green Backyard is so important for them and why they want to protect it. "We understand there needs to be new houses, but this is not the place for it." The council's consultation on its Draft Local Plan runs until 29 May. A council spokesperson said: "At this stage, the plan is still in draft form, so the public's feedback is essential in helping shape later versions. I encourage everyone to have their say." Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Community garden threatened by housing plan Residents asked for views on 20-year city plan The Green Backyard Peterborough City Council

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store