Plans for a new £15 million special school in Dudley will have a “significant impact” on the lives of children, education leaders have said.

The new complex will be built on the site of the former Pensnett High School as the latest big investment in children in the borough. It will provide education for 155 children and young people aged three to 19 years.

When complete it will replace the existing Pens Meadow Special School which already provides education for pupils with complex needs, including autism and pupils with profound and multiple learning difficulties across two sites. Councillor Ruth Buttery, cabinet member for children’s services, said:

"I am really excited by this opportunity to have a very significant impact on the lives of our children. The current school is not fit for purpose and teaching children carries many challenges with the current state of the building.

"Classrooms are unsuitable and access to the site is difficult, and we have identified it as a priority for us to do something about it. We are a child friendly Dudley and that means putting children at the top of the list as much as we can.

"This new school will do exactly that by providing a ground-breaking complex that will provide the very best facilities."

A report is set to go before the council’s cabinet seeking approval to borrow £15.6million to pay for the new state of the art complex. Bosses said the move would “transform” the lives of pupils with the best facilities on offer. Marie Hunter, headteacher at Pens Meadow, added:

"This is a fantastic opportunity to ensure our pupils have a purpose build environment in which we can better deliver high quality provision working towards education health and care outcomes.

"We all really welcome this and look forward to starting work on a new chapter for the school. This is very welcome news for everyone her at school and in the Pens Meadow Community."

The new school would also provide state of the art equipment, therapy rooms, a hydrotherapy pool, changing facilities, outdoor teaching and play areas, community group facilities, and 14 bespoke classrooms specifically designed to cater to children with additional needs.

A planning application for the new build and car parking was approved in July 2021.