Plans for a new SEMH (Social, Emotional, and Mental Health needs) school for 80 pupils were submitted to Stockport Council in late March of this year by the Laurus Trust, which operates schools across Greater Manchester. 

According to the planning application submitted to Stockport Council, the appeal decision is 'not available'. 

However, the trust states on its website: "We have been given approval to open an 80-place Alternative Provision School in Stockport, Laurus Grace."  

According to the trust, the new school aims to provide "an alternative educational setting for pupils where a mainstream school is not reasonably able to provide suitable education, and an alternative educational setting would be in the child's best interests." 

The planning document goes on to state that such an alternative setting might be suitable for students suffering from bullying, school phobia, medical or mental health needs, special education needs, or for pupils who are temporarily lacking a place in another school. 

In most cases students will only be at the school on a temporary basis, and heads from local schools confirmed they had a commitment to refer pupils to Laurus Grace if necessary. 

The trust emphasises that there is a lack of provision for such pupils in the area; it argues in the planning document that adequate evidence has been submitted to the council to prove that current SEMH provision is oversubscribed, citing the projected 28% increase in Stockport's secondary school population by 2028. 

The document also points out how "the government attaches great importance to ensuring that a sufficient choice of school places is available to meet the needs of existing and new communities. Local planning authorities should take a proactive, positive, and collaborative approach to meeting this requirement, and to development that will widen choice in education". 

Laurus Grace will be built to the adjacent west of Hazel Grove High School on Jackson Lane, with new pedestrian and vehicle access being provided along the road. 

The proposed sections of Laurus Grace (Image from planning document)

It will occupy the site of some old tennis and netball courts, which will be relocated to the eastern side of Hazel Grove High School. 

The new building will provide both standard and SEN (Special Educational Needs) classrooms, ICT / engineering suites, a science classroom, and a fitness studio. 

The planning document also stresses that the building will be highly sustainable, featuring careful insulation, as well as solar panels covering the roof and car park shelters. 

The trust has worked with planning consultants ICENI projects, as well as Pozzoni architects.

Free from clickbait, pop-up ads and unwanted surveys, Stockport Nub News is a quality online newspaper for our town.