Special needs school plans move to £2.65m site

A school for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) could move to a former college campus bought by city chiefs for £2.65m.

Sunderland City Council has acquired Sunderland College's former building in Washington and wants to relocate the Barbara Priestman Academy to the site eight miles away from the current school.

The school, which caters for 11 to 19-year-olds with autism and complex learning difficulties, has outgrown its current location, the local authority said.

Any move would be subject to a four-week statutory consultation and approval from the Department for Education.

It is hoped the relocation will create more space and bring the academy's main provision and sixth form together on a single site, with the potential to incorporate council-owned land to the south for new playing fields.

Design work has begun and students could potentially start moving there in the 2027/2028 academic year.

Councillor Carol Giles said securing the site was an opportunity to meet growing demand for specialist places and create more space for children and young people with SEND needs.

Head teacher Graeme Musson said: "The proposed move would give us the opportunity to develop modern, spacious facilities."

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