Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Bath are set to benefit from new local school places, as work begins on specialist facilities at Mulberry Park Primary School.
Construction is due to start on 11 May, with contractor 21CBS delivering a purpose-built resource base designed to support up to 10 pupils with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).
Located in Combe Down, the new single-storey building will focus on children whose primary need is social, emotional and mental health (SEMH). The aim is to enable pupils to learn in mainstream classes close to home, while accessing tailored specialist support.
The facility will include a dedicated classroom, small group and breakout spaces, welfare facilities and a secure outdoor area designed specifically for SEND pupils.
Councillor Paul May, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said, “This is an important milestone for a project that will make a real difference to children and families across Bath & North East Somerset. This will support more children with additional needs to learn in their local community, close to family and friends and alongside their peers, in a familiar environment while receiving tailored support.
“Ensuring children can attend a local school rather than travelling outside the Bath & North East Somerset area is not only better for the children and their families, but it also avoids expensive out-of-area placements and transport costs for the council.”
The project forms part of Bath & North East Somerset Council’s wider strategy to increase local specialist provision and improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
It also supports climate goals by reducing the need for long-distance travel to out-of-area specialist schools.
Work will be carefully managed to minimise disruption to the school and local residents, with completion expected by December 2026.
Once finished, the new SEND resource base will expand local capacity and help more children thrive within their own communities.
The council has also recently confirmed plans for a new 120-place special free school at the Culverhay site in Bath, following approval from the Department for Education.
Alongside this, the authority is developing a Local SEND Reform Plan in partnership with families, young people and professionals, setting out how support will continue to improve across the area.
