ALMOST £500,000 is set to be spent on adapting Kendray Resource Centre so it can be exclusively used by children with special educational needs.
Barnsley Council’s ruling cabinet members will discuss the scheme on Wednesday, which will allow Wellspring Multi-Academy Trust (WMAT) to occupy the venue for up to 25 years.
Members’ approval will be sought to relocate pupils currently using the building to Athersley’s I Know I Can (IKIC) Centre, also controlled by WMAT.
A report said: “Currently the primary occupier of the Kendray Resource Centre is WMAT, through which the council commissions places relating to alternative education provision.
“The centre is used as a satellite facility in accommodating a number of funded placements for pupils who have either been permanently excluded from their secondary school or who have been identified as being at risk of permanent exclusion.
“This will enable the conversion of the building at Kendray and allow up to 30 pupils, with social, emotional or mental health needs, to be accommodated. The proposal in its entirety would ensure all pupils transferring into and out continue to have their educational needs met by WMAT, which has been judged to be outstanding for its special school provision by Ofsted at its latest inspection.”
The adaptions to the building’s layout is expected to cost £477,000.
