60-place problem pupil proposal

A new secondary school for some of the borough’s most troubled children could be built on the site of South Chadderton School.

Oldham has not had a special school for older children with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties (BESD) since Hardman Fold in Failsworth closed more than three years ago.

Now council managers are recommending using some of the Butterworth Lane school buildings, including the gym and technology block, but building a new special BESD school on part of the site, costing £4.7 million.

The old secondary school would be demolished and some of the land sold off, they suggest.

Other secondary schools due to close under the Building Schools for the Future programme have been considered, but are not recommended because they would be too expensive to redevelop, or the sports facilities would be too difficult to refurbish.

Hardman Fold closed in December, 2005, after a string of attacks on staff and pupils. At least two teachers were seriously assaulted, and pupils were also attacked. The school was temporarily closed twice in the space of six months and education watchdog Ofsted branded it as “failing”.

But Ofsted is also concerned that combining Pupil Referral Unit students with pupils ‘statemented’ for BESD is unlawful. Now the plan being suggested to council leaders is to have a 60-place special secondary school for 11 to 19-year-olds.

It will also help mainstream schools with outreach work.

The report adds: “The BESD special school works towards a long-term aim of ensuring pupils receive the best and most appropriate education which enables them to enter employment, education or training.”

If councillors approve the plans, there will be consultations, published proposals, time for representations including at least one public meeting, and involving consultants from the Department for Children, Schools, taking around 12 months to complete.