Birmingham City Council has approved a £3.7 million project to construct a new special educational needs (SEN) facility at Prince Albert High School, responding to an urgent demand for more pupil places. The single-storey building will provide dedicated spaces for 56 students across six specially designed classrooms.
The council emphasizes that the new facility will create a calm, accessible, and flexible environment tailored to support both the learning and personal development of children with complex needs. It recognizes its statutory responsibility to provide sufficient and appropriate pupil placements, ensuring that children with special education needs and disabilities (SEND) can be supported within mainstream education.
A recent council report highlighted the current pressures on suitable SEN placements, underscoring the urgency of increasing capacity. Without these new places, Birmingham risks having to send children outside the city for provision, which would be less cost-effective, increase travel times, and underutilize local resources.
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The approved plans include six classrooms, a sensory room, a life skills suite, and restroom facilities. Construction is scheduled to begin in August and is expected to take 32 weeks, aiming for completion by April 2027, weather permitting.
While the SEN Resource Base will maintain its own distinct identity, it will remain physically connected to Prince Albert High School via a covered link. This design supports seamless movement between the resource base and the wider school community, reinforcing the school’s commitment to inclusion.
This development is a key step in fulfilling Birmingham’s SEND Strategy, ensuring that the city meets its statutory duties and provides high-quality, locally accessible education for children with complex needs.