A NEW school for children and young people with special educational needs could open near Thornbury.

Plans have been submitted to South Gloucestershire Council by education provider Witherslack Group to convert a 19th century Gothic building into a school in Rudgeway. 

This includes building a new classroom block with a games area as well as internal alterations. 

Witherslack has told the Gazette that the proposed school - which is near the A38 - would provide space for up to 50 pupils aged between 9 to 19 years old.

It is also thought the school would also create up to 42 new full time jobs.

According to council documents, proposed rooms include a headteacher and deputy office, staff and pupil toilets, around a dozen classrooms as well as an IT classroom, a therapy room, a intervention room, a library, with a dining room and kitchen.

Approximately 39 parking spaces, some with electric charging points would also be created as well as three additional disabled bays. 

Gazette Series: 19th century Silverhill in Rudgeway could be converted back into a school, according to plans.19th century Silverhill in Rudgeway could be converted back into a school, according to plans. (Image: Witherslack Group)

The Victorian Gothic country house, known as Silverhill, was previously a private school after WWII, but after the school relocated in 1992, the building was converted to offices.

According to the application there are currently 6,111 children in South Gloucestershire who have SEND, which is higher than the national average. 

Planners say they believe their new school would help ‘ease pressures on a range of local educational authorities’.

A council document reads: “The proposal seeks consent for change of use to a day school catering for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities. 

“The site’s most recent use was office space for a market research and data processing company.

“The offices at Silverhill have been vacant for years and it is considered the minor works to the existing building would help reinstate the former school use appropriate to the character and setting of the site and surrounding area.

Gazette Series:

“Works involve limited alterations to the interior of the building along with new classroom blocks and a multi-use games area in the grounds, as fully detailed upon the submitted drawings. 

“No elevational alterations are proposed, maintaining the character and attractive appearance of the current building.”

You can view the application by visiting the council’s planning website quoting reference S.23/0402/FUL