Work starts on £6m Cumbria SEND school extension

Sandgate School in Kendal will nearly double in size at the Appleby Road campus it shares with The Queen Katherine School.

Contractor F Parkinson has started work this week to extend the school, which provides education for children with special educational needs.

Currently, Sandgate School’s footprint on the site is 7,600 sq ft. The Architects Plus-designed project will increase that space to 14,900 sq ft.

Most importantly, the extension will provide four additional classrooms, a sensory room, a physiotherapy room, and medical rooms on the 2.5-acre plot, which currently forms part of a playing field.

Work will also create a new entrance and a multipurpose hall for rebound therapy, sports, and dining.

Plans also include external works: laybys for drop off and collection of students, fencing around the playing field, and the addition of 40 car parking spaces, including two disabled spaces.

The £6m project has been funded by Westmorland and Furness Council.

Jon Hayes, headteacher at The Queen Katherine School, said: “This development is a positive enhancement for the students at both Sandgate and The Queen Katherine School.

“The co-location already brings benefits for both sets of students and this expansion will build upon the many years of successful collaboration that have gone before. “

Daniel Hinton, headteacher at Sandgate School, added: “These brand-new facilities will give our students a school that is fit for purpose and able to cope with the demands of a modern curriculum.”

Sandgate’s satellite campus at Queen Katherine School currently caters to pupils in years 10 to 13, which will be extended to include those in years seven to nine. This means that all secondary school pupils will be able to learn on the same site.

Cllr Sue Sanderson, Westmorland and Furness Council’s cabinet member for children’s services, education, and skills, said: “Having all secondary age pupils able to attend the campus at The Queen Katherine School will really make a huge difference.

“It’s so important that wherever possible children with special educational needs are included alongside their peers as part of the community, breaking down barriers and prejudices.”

Cllr Peter Thornton, Westmorland and Furness Council’s cabinet member for highways and assets, said: “Our council plan is all about making our area a great place to live, work, and thrive, and this project shows our commitment to that pledge.

“The new buildings will meet the changing needs of pupils and provide facilities closer to home for children and young people who need them.”

Plans were submitted for the scheme in 2021.

To find out more about the plans, search for application number SL/2021/0495 on Westmorland and Furness Council’s planning portal.