Scarborough and Whitby MP Alison Hume is pushing for Springhead School to be granted greater resources after witnessing first-hand some of the challenges being faced by pupils and staff at its sixth-form college.
Describing the establishment, which caters for pupils with a wide range of special educational needs as “outstanding”, Ms Hume was nevertheless concerned to discover its Lady Edith’s Drive site lacks the facilities required to provide teaching space for all.
During a visit there, Ms Hume saw one student being tutored in a corridor because a partition wall, which would create an extra room, has yet to be erected.
That has prompted her call for North Yorkshire Council and the government to look at how to improve conditions at the school and ensure it can meet demand.
Ms Hume said:
“Springhead Sixth Form has been rated outstanding for the education and care they provide for students with profound and special educational needs and disabilities.
“It’s not hard to see why. I saw the incredible professionalism and dedication displayed by all staff.
“It was obvious the students love their school.
“I also saw an old repurposed building which is inadequate, a lack of space and a lack of resources.
“Local families are crying out for places at this school yet there is not enough space to accommodate all the requests.
“I will be asking North Yorkshire Council and the government what we can do to improve the situation.”
Springhead houses its sixth-form college at the premises on Lady Edith’s Drive, which were previously used by another local school in Scarborough.
Ms Hume met teachers and staff during her tour before taking part in a question-and-answer session with pupils.
Paul Wilson, Springhead deputy headteacher, said:
“It was a pleasure to welcome Alison Hume to Springhead Special School.
“We are aware that Alison has been championing the case for improved funding and recognition of SEND (Special Education Needs and Disabilities) within schools, so to have our local MP take the time to come and talk to staff and students highlights the importance of SEND provision.
“Alison spent time looking round our premises and faced a question-and-answer session from a number of students.
“It was clear that Alison is passionate about improving SEND provision within the Scarborough area and we look forward to meeting Alison again when we pay a return visit to Parliament in the near future.”
Councillor John Ritchie, a governor of Springhead School, accompanied Ms Hume on her visit.
Cllr Ritchie said:
“Young people with special educational needs, and especially those with profound and multiple learning difficulties, deserve to be educated in schools that can match those needs.
“Not only is there a lack of sufficient school places in the Scarborough area to meet the needs of expectant families and young people, the standard of accommodation that is available falls well short of those expectations.
“I know that staff and students were grateful that our MP was able to visit our sixth form site to see for herself some of the barriers staff at the school face as they continue to provide the outstanding education our young people and their families have every right to expect.”
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