Derelict centre to be transformed into SEND school

A dilapidated school building in Scunthorpe will be transformed into a specialist school and is set to open next year.

The former Darley Centre has been empty for eight years, and has been bought by specialist educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provider Polaris Community.

Once renovated, it will offer 42 places for children aged between five and 18 with SEND and social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs.

Executive head teacher Derek Fance said it would mean "children have access to an appropriate education, as many mainstream provisions can't offer that very specialist care that some children need".

"Going into a classroom with 30-plus children can be really difficult," he added.

"It can be noisy, it can be bright. There's lots of things that can distract."

Fance said each classroom would have no more than eight children with a teacher and teaching assistant.

"Some children may actually need one-to-one support and we're able to provide that as well."

He said the location in Scunthorpe was chosen "due to the demand in the area" and, after assessing the Darley Centre, they "wanted to revive this formerly lovely educational building".

"As it had been previously used as an education setting, the building itself just lends itself for great education and we're really pleased to be able to positively contribute to the local area in that way," Fance said.

The improvements will include dedicated sensory spaces, an indoor hall that lends itself to a dining space and indoor play, a teaching kitchen, upgrades for energy efficiency, accessibility, and extensive refurbishment to bring the school up to current building standards.

"Contractors have been able to retain the majority of the building's original features, preserving its character," Fance said.

The new school is expected to open in April 2027 under a new name and is currently recruiting a head teacher and staff.

They include seven teachers, seven teaching assistants, and ten other staff.

Fance said it was "a really exciting time" to build the team.

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