School expansion could create 120 SEND places

Plans to expand a specialist school onto a second site could create up to 120 extra spaces for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), a council has said.

Durham County Council wants to expand Durham Trinity School and Sports College onto the former Fyndoune Community College in Sacriston, about 2.6 miles (4.1km) away from the current campus.

Documents accompanying the proposals said all special schools within the county had "currently exceeded their net capacity" and the change aimed to boost SEND provision.

If the plans go ahead, Durham Trinity will continue to operate as one school across two sites, under the same head teacher and leadership arrangements.

The new campus is planned to open in September 2028.

It will include about 18 classrooms and teaching areas, as well as small-group rooms.

An existing sports hall and multi-use games area would be refurbished, with community use outside school hours where appropriate.

The council said the expansion would create extra capacity on the school's current site in Aykley Heads, which will support additional reception and primary school places.

"The expansion will strengthen the local continuum of provision and increase parental confidence and choice," the planning documents stated.

The proposals said the council's cabinet had agreed "in principle" the scheme should proceed as a "high-priority investment in local SEND sufficiency" and funding for the project had been approved in its medium term financial plan.

Feedback to the plans can be submitted until 30 November.

Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram and listen on BBC Sounds.