Plans for school rebuild and new homes in Dearne area village
PLANS have been revealed for a complete overhaul of the Robert Ogden School in Thurnscoe, which would see the whole site redeveloped with a school and housing.
That is a response to the failing condition of current buildings - with flooding and leaks causing the school to close on seven occasions in the last year.
The new school would be built partly on playing fields, with the current school site given over to housing when complete.
Its former Clayton Croft residential service would also be converted for new homes.
At this stage, it is unknown how much new housing would be proposed, but the National Autistic Society say the proposed housing is a “crucial” part of their redevelopment plans, to partly offset the cost.
The school provides a specialist education for children and young people with autism but is also a significant employer in the area, with more than 250 people working at the Clayton Lane site.
It has more than 150 pupils, drawn from a catchment area serving the region as it is the National Autistic Society’s only school in the north of England.
The campus was built in 1968 - when it had an anticipated lifespan of just 25 years.
To continue operating the school with its current buildings is regard as putting them at risk of further disruption and, the school says, “missed opportunities at a crucial stage in their development”.
Refurbishing the existing buildings is not regarded as a viable option, because of the condition of those structures.
The situation has been compounded by the fact that more children are being diagnosed with the condition.
Under the proposals, an entirely new school would be built, partly on playing fields adjacent to the existing buildings.
That would allow pupils to continue their education undisturbed in the current accommodation until the new facilities - designed to provide “state of the art” accommodation would be ready for occupation.
Principal Jon Mount said: “The new Robert Ogden School will serve as a beacon of excellence, influencing future autism-friendly school design across the sector.”
The National Autistic Society is a not-for-profit-organisation.
They have been consulting in the area, insisting they want the local community to be heard.
A consultation takes place at the school from 5pm to 7pm on March 25.