A planning application has been submitted to turn offices in Ruddington into a special school, with places for 80 pupils creating 40 jobs. The application has been submitted by Polaris Children's Service to transform the use of Easthorpe House on Loughborough Road, a Grade II listed building.
Polaris Children's Service is a community of children's service providers. A letter from them to Rushcliffe Borough Council states the proposal is to teach up to 80 pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) between the ages of seven and 16 at the site.
It's proposed 30 full-time and 10 part-time jobs would be created if the application gets the green light, creating a total of 40 new jobs. A supporting statement says 'this identified local need is only increasing when considering the impacts on young people have become more pronounced during the last two years because of Covid restrictions'.
Read more: I tried the very best of Nottingham's favourite cuisine - and I was not disappointed
At other Polaris managed sites, their SEND pupils are in small classes of no more than eight. The school day would start at 8.45am and finish at 3.15pm.
Polaris has already agreed terms on a lease for Easthorpe House, subject to change of use planning approval for a school to operate on the site. The site is vacant and was last used as NHS offices.
The planning application form states, because of the Grade II listed status: "No changes to externals of the building are intended other than the like for like redecoration of the external paintwork and render, especially at the north / northwest elevation. The property features a range of window levels and glass types.
"Rather than window replacement, we are intending to enhance safety and reduce risk of injury to the occupants by installing clear 4mil (100micron) safety film."
