A new £1.4m facility for children with special education needs and disabilities (SEND) has officially opened at Redruth School.

Called an Area Resource Base (ARB), it offers specialist education to young people in the area who also played a key role in its design. It is aimed principally at pupils with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs, such as anxiety and communication challenges.

The ARB aims to use sport as a way for young people to self-regulate, which is why it was designed with a state-of-the-art sports hall in the centre of the building. It opened at the start of the school year and can accommodate between 20 and 25 young people who have an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

The facility boasts:

  • A sports hall
  • Outdoor play area developed by young people with support from local businesses
  • Modern teaching kitchen to help pupils learn life skills
  • State-of-the-art IT systems and equipment
  • Environments designed to support the specific sensory needs of the young people
  • New accessible ramped access to the heart of the main school

It was officially opened by Cllr Barbara Ellenbroek, cabinet member for children and families at Cornwall Council, on Thursday, September 26.

Cllr Ellenbroek, who is also the local member for Redruth South, said: “As both a local resident and councillor, it was an absolute pleasure to open the new ARB at Redruth School and to meet some of the wonderful pupils and staff there. Redruth is an inclusive community school and they are truly a testament to this ethos.

“This is one of a series of new projects and innovations that the council is driving forward to support children with SEND and their families. It is one of our key priorities to make Cornwall a brilliant place to be a child and grow up and I am extremely proud of all the work that is going on to help achieve this.”

Craig Bonds, headteacher at Redruth School, said: “The ARB facility opening at Redruth School is a fantastic addition to further support young people in our community. In conjunction with the Local Authority, we have created a wonderful provision that is already inspiring our students to reach beyond their potential.

“To have such an inclusive provision as part of our school means all young people in Redruth can be educated together.”

Redruth School ARB
Redruth School ARB (Submitted)

Most young people with SEND attend a mainstream school but there are a small number with more complex learning difficulties who need to attend a specialist setting. These pupils will usually have an EHCP.

In Cornwall there are several different types of state-funded specialist provision for learners with SEND. These include ARBs and special schools.

There are currently 23 ARBs spread across Cornwall, 10 of which are based at secondary schools and 13 at primaries. A list of where they are can be found on the council’s website.

Pupils in ARBs benefit from a more tailored education which can include small group work and access to specialist resources and services. One of the many strengths of ARBs is that children can still access parts of mainstream school life, as well as having more specialist support.

Having them spread across Cornwall also means it is more likely that children and young people can attend a school which is in, or near to, their home town or area. This means they can learn alongside their friends and peers.

Among the recent and upcoming plans and projects to help support children with SEND and their families are:

  • A new Free School for Secondary Age Children with SEMH in Bodmin
  • A Primary ARB for children with SEMH at Cury School in Penzance
  • A Primary ARB at Pensans School in Penzance
  • Expansion and development of all schools that are part of the Special Schools Partnership Trust