Impressive new facilities approved to improve the lives of children at Bamburgh School in South Shields

Earlier in 2020, South Tyneside Council submitted proposals to its own planning department to build a new hub within the grounds of Bamburgh School.

The detached timber-framed building will offer two classrooms with attached therapy rooms and associated toilets and a kitchen.

When completed, it will provide space for up to 20 pupils and will be fully accessible by all regardless of age or mobility.

TG Escapes has been named as the ‘bespoke turnkey building supplier’ for the project.

As part of the building design, school leaders can use sliding screens or partitions to transform the interior into “one large multi-functional space.”

Following consultation and after examining all comments made, council planners approved the application on Thursday, October 29.

In a decision report, council officers concluded that the plans were acceptable in terms of design, impact on neighbours and transport.

A planning statement submitted with the application adds the facility will “support and inspire the children (both internally and externally) to achieve to the best of their abilities.”

It goes on to say: “The school approached TG Escapes with the desire for a new building to provide additional room for classrooms and therapy space for SEN provision.

“This need is not met by those facilities already on site.

“Additional accommodation of the quality proposed will bring obvious benefits for the education of children, the teaching conditions of staff and the wider community at large, which can enjoy improved specialist facilities.”

Bamburgh is a fully inclusive school maintained by South Tyneside Council for pupils aged four to 16 with SEN.

Pupils’ needs cover a broad spectrum of medical, physical, social, emotional and moderate learning difficulties.

The school is attached to Seaview Primary and Horsley Hill Children’s Centre which collectively are referred to as Horsley Hill Community Campus

Under planning conditions, work on the SEN hub must be brought forward within the next three years.

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