New school plans for those with special needs

A new school for students with special needs could be built on the edge of Whaplode.

Plans have been submitted to convert Dorcette House at the corner of Little Lane and Thorpe’s Lane, into a day school offering special care for children aged from five to 16 years old.
It will be run by a husband and wife team, Deborah and Liam Seragusa, who have worked in schools for those with special educational needs and disabilities for more than 20 years.
“We know there is a growing demand for SEN placements in South Holland, South Kesteven, West Norfolk and North Cambridgeshire.
“We will provide a therapeutic school that will promote the social, emotional and education of each young person, in an idyllic rural setting, to allow pupils to embrace the environment and nature to support their learning and individual needs,” says a document accompanying the application.
“Having worked in two highly successful family-run schools in rural Rutland; where the location did not look or feel like a traditional school, but more like a home environment, we saw children thrive educationally and as people,” the document adds.
The company behind the application, DPS Education Ltd, was established in February of this year and the school will be ‘majority owned’ by Mr and Mrs Seragusa.
“We aim for classes to be no bigger than eight children with a qualified teacher and teaching assistant. To further support individual needs, we will be working closely with an educational psychologist and offer in-house therapy to support both children and their families,” says the application’s supporting design and access statement.
“We have chosen to focus on South Holland because we believe there is a local demand for a high quality, SEN specialist school. By placing children with us, the council can make significant savings on assisted transportation costs and we will ensure that we work closely with the education and social services departments in order to deliver an outstanding provision, with the best possible outcomes,” it continues.
The rural setting is of ‘significant benefit’, and the school would employ between 12 and 15 staff with a total school roll of 32.
“Therapeutic schools are best situated in rural locations,” says the application.
The school will have wildlife spaces, vegetable plots and a sensory garden.
The new school would also network with others in the area to provide ‘shared learning opportunities’ and training opportunities.
The building, which includes an indoor swimming pool, is currently a five bedroom home and a four-car garage.
“We cannot overstate the importance of a tranquil setting for a therapeutic school,” concludes the report.
The application for change of use alongside external works and an extension will be discussed by members of South Holland’s planning committee.