College site may become special needs sixth form

A college building in Worcester is set to be turned into a new sixth form centre for pupils with SEND (special educational needs and disabilities).

Worcestershire County Council is planning to buy the St Dunstan's building from Heart of Worcestershire College.

Repurposing it would help reduce education and transport costs for students currently placed in out-of-county settings, education bosses said.

There could be savings in excess of £10m a year, council cabinet member for education Stephen Foster told a scrutiny panel meeting.

The cost of home-to-school transport has gone from about £15m in 2019-20 to more than £36m in 2025-26.

The council transports about 11,000 children to and from school every day, including an increasing number of SEND pupils.

Highways chief, councillor Nik Price, said: "We are seeing growing demand and increasing complexity, especially around SEND transport.

"Our focus is on making sure these services remain safe, reliable and sustainable for the children and families who rely on them every day."

Of the pupils the council transports, about 500 go to schools outside Worcestershire under taxi contracts, costing the authority £5.6m.

The St Dunstan's building in The Butts is used by the college for its hair and beauty and art and design departments.

It was put up for sale for £2.95m in November last year, when the college said the decision followed a strategic review of its estate and "forms part of our long-term plan to optimise space and enhance the student experience".

Worcester City Council leader Lynn Denham has called for it to be used as a school.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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