SEND school proposed for part of Hazel Grove High School site

Plans have been submitted to Stockport Council for the construction of a 12,900 sq ft specialist SEND school on part of the Hazel Grove High School site.

The school, if built, would provide specialised facilities for around 80 students with more complex educational needs or disabilities. The site was selected out of 13 possible locations in the borough by Laurus Trust, which will operate the school, and the Department for Education.

The proposed Laurus Grace AP School would occupy Hazel Grove High School current netball courts, with the facilities relocated to elsewhere on the campus, and an area of overflow car parking. The two-storey building would include standard and SEN classrooms, an IT and Engineering suite and specialised science classroom as well as fitness studio.

The majority of the roof of the building would be equipped with solar panels to generate green energy for the school and reduce the running costs and carbon footprint of the site. Proposals also include a variety of outdoor spaces for pupils, including hard play area, kitchen garden

Also included in the plans are proposals to develop an additional part of Hazel Grove High School to deliver new netball courts as well as additional parking for both schools, including electric vehicle charging facilities for faculty.

The plans for the new school aim to help meet the need for SEND school places in the borough. Stockport currently faces a shortage of school places for students with additional needs, and by 2028 is set to need an additional 20 places to meet demand of the borough’s growing population.

ICENI Projects have acted as planning consultants on the proposals, alongside architects, Pozzoni.