New Northamptonshire SEND school Tiffield Academy set to open in 2025

Tiffield Academy will be built on the edge of the south Northamptonshire village

A new school for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) has been approved.

West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) backed plans for a facility in the old St John's Centre, Tiffield, which would open in September 2025 with 252 places.

Tiffield Academy would educate students on the autistic spectrum and those with severe learning difficulties.

Fiona Baker, from WNC, said there was a "desperate need" for the specialist education facility.

The school would be located near the A43 and the planning committee heard people driving southbound to the school would have to cross over two lanes of traffic on the dual carriageway.

This included an estimated 25 minibuses, as well as private hire taxis and parents at drop off and pick up time, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

A parish councillor wanted the junction on the A43 for Tiffield to be improved

Laura Cook, from Tiffield Parish Council, said she was in support of the development in principle, but not the use of the "dangerous" junction.

She added: "How can we honestly say the junction can cope with this volume in a limited time period?"

However, National Highways had no objections to the route and WNC officers said it was a "safe means of access" to the site.

Ms Baker, WNC's cabinet member for children and education said the new school would allow children to learn "nearer to their home location".

"I have admitted on many occasions that I am failing these children and I do not wish to continue to do this," she said at the meeting.

Children aged four to 18 would be eligible to attend the academy and use the specialist classrooms and facilities.