£7m project proposed for Birmingham school set to be approved

The city council is seeking approval to go ahead with its proposals for Beaufort School, a special school based in the Bromford and Hodge Hill ward.

The school, which supports pupils with severe and complex learning difficulties, has seen enrolment steadily increase and the nature of pupil needs become more challenging.

“The school is now experiencing significant capacity pressures,” the council said in a new report.

“The existing classroom provision is no longer sufficient to accommodate pupils safely, with growing behavioural concerns linked to confined learning environments.

“This has raised serious health and safety issues.”

The council went on to say that two temporary classrooms had offered some “short-term relief”.

“[But] it does not address the underlying and escalating demand,” it continued.

“The school has not received additional permanent space despite the upward trend in pupil numbers.”

To meet this rising demand, the construction of six new classrooms and increasing dining space has been proposed.

The works would also comprise a separate entrance and drop off areas for the pupils at Beaufort, which shares a site with another school.

“This will provide dedicated teaching and learning space for Beaufort School, reduce safeguarding risks, and support a more appropriate flow of movement and learning for pupils with complex needs,” the council report said.

Cabinet members at the council have been recommended to approve the project costs of the works at a meeting on Tuesday, December 9.

The total project cost is not to exceed £7,072,398.

The council said not carrying out the project would mean not meeting its statutory duty to provide a “suitable and safe” learning environment for pupils.