Plans for facility to support excluded students

Funds have been allocated to refurbish the former Hunloke Adult Education Centre

Proposals to create up to 100 specialist places for students who have been excluded from school have taken a step forward.

Derbyshire County Council said it had agreed to allocate £1.8m to Esteem Multi-Academy Trust to refurbish the former Hunloke Adult Education Centre in Church Street South, Birdholme, Chesterfield.

Council documents said the building would be utilised for providing additional places for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

The authority said it was hoped the new teaching facility would be open from September 2026, and would provide support for pupils to resume learning after a period of exclusion.

The council said it previously provided £400,000 for a feasibility study into the project, with the academy trust also providing a £400,000 contribution to the scheme.

Councillor Simon Mabbott, cabinet member for SEND and education, said: "We know how important it is for children with additional needs to get the right support so they can thrive alongside their peers.

"With increasing demand for SEND provision, we are working in partnership with our schools and local communities to ensure we are creating the right learning environments for pupils in areas where it is needed most.

"We recognise that there's always more to do but we are committed to ensuring all our pupils have access to the very best education."