Schools to be expanded with new SEND classrooms

Two schools are to be expanded with new classrooms for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

The new units in Wokingham, Berkshire, will accommodate a total of 40 pupils.

Keep Hatch Primary School's new facilities will host 15 pupils, supported by six staff, and Bulmershe School in Woodley will have up to 25 pupils and eight staff.

Both schemes were unanimously approved by Wokingham Borough Council's planning committee on Wednesday.

Councillor Sam Akhtar said: "It's really good to see an application coming through to support SEND schools."

They said the application fitted with the council's wider "strategy of supporting SEND provision and is really positive".

"There have been no neighbour objections."

The unit at Bulmershe School in Chequers Way will be built on a 280 sq m (about 3,000 sq ft) grassed area.

Plans include additional parking, with eight staff spaces and dedicated drop-off bays.