GOVERNMENT funding is being allocated to Ryefield Centre in Ross-On-Wye, to create a small special school for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.

The grant will be released from the Department for Education High Needs Provision to create additional space and mainstream school places for children.

The £4.23 million allocated to Herefordshire will be invested into three schools to ensure better learning and propose projects.

The Ryefield Centre was originally built as a grammar school in 1911. In 1997 the site was re-used as a community centre for the town but de-commissioned in 2018.

It is now going through reconfiguration and improvement works to house children’s services as well as acting as an multi agency office.

Ross County Councillor Ed O’Driscoll explained that Herefordshire Council has experienced a rapid increase in demand for SEND places over recent years and added: “Because of the lack of available places, the local authority has had to use the independent sector outside the county to meet this demand.

“Obviously, this is far from ideal for children and parents, and very expensive for the Council. In a bid to meet this increased demand the council is aiming to repurpose existing spaces to create additional ‘in county’ places, and I’m delighted to report that The Ryefield Centre is one of the locations that’s been selected.

“Plans to refurb the former grammar school, bringing it up to modern standards creating a new special school that will provide around 40 additional places for children with SEND.”

Cllr Ivan Powell, cabinet member for children and young people declared: “We believe every child in Herefordshire deserves to receive the best education possible and the grant funding will help us expand our offer to meet the needs of our children with SEND.”

Cllr Harry Bramer, cabinet member for community services and assets, said: “By releasing the funding we can work towards providing additional provision to meet the increased demand for special school places to provide children with SEND a better access to education.”

In addition, Debbie Hobbs, chairman of Parent and Carer Voice Herefordshire, said: “We look forward to working with the council as the plan progresses.”