Planned redevelopment to turn former fire control centre into specialist school
Wakefield Council has secured an investment of £1.6m to acquire premises for a new specialist school.
The planned school will be created by redeveloping the former Wakefield Regional Fire Control Centre.
It will provide up to 120 specialist secondary school places for young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.
Vicky Schofield, the council’s corporate director for children and young people, said: “This investment of capital funds is an important step forward to improving specialist provision for families in our district.
“It means better outcomes for our families, with access to high-quality education. And reduced reliance on high-cost out-of-area placements.
“We’re committed to growing our own local specialist provision and improving inclusion in mainstream schools. By spending now, we will create more places in our district, mitigate budget pressures and improve the financial sustainability of the local education system.”
The council adds works on the former fire control centre are expected to begin on site in 2026, with opening planned for 2027.
The £1.6m to cover the purchase of the site comes from funding from the Department for Education (DfE).
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