Major plans for a £3.7 million Special Educational Needs (SEN) facility have been approved amid an urgent need for additional pupil places in Birmingham. Birmingham City Council has given the green light for a new single-storey building at Prince Albert High School, which will provide dedicated space for 56 students across six purpose-built classrooms.
Facility Details
The new facility will offer a calm, accessible, and flexible environment that supports both learning and personal development, according to council officials. The project includes six classrooms, a sensory room, a life skills room, and toilets. The council emphasised that the resource base will maintain its own identity while remaining connected to the wider school through a covered link, ensuring seamless movement and reinforcing the school's inclusive ethos.
Urgent Need for SEND Capacity
The council stated that current pressures on suitable placements highlight the urgency of creating additional SEND capacity. Without these places, the council may be forced to place children outside Birmingham, which is less cost-effective, increases travel costs, and does not make best use of local resources. The project is deemed essential to fulfilling statutory responsibilities and aligning with the Birmingham SEND Strategy.
Timeline and Approval
At a meeting today, cabinet members approved the full business case and project costs. Construction is proposed to start in August this year, with an anticipated completion date of April 2027, subject to weather conditions. The council stressed that advancing this project is essential to meeting its statutory duty to provide sufficient, appropriate pupil places and to support children with complex needs within mainstream education.
