New £1.4m Facility Opens at Redruth School to Support Children with Special Educational Needs & Disabilities

Specialist Facility to Help Young People with SEND Opens in Redruth

A brand new £1.4 million facility for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) has officially opened at Redruth School. Known as an Area Resource Base (ARB), the state-of-the-art centre aims to provide tailored education and support for young people in the area with complex needs.

Supporting Young People with SEMH Needs

The new ARB is designed specifically for pupils with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs, such as anxiety and communication challenges. It has been created with input from the young people it aims to serve, ensuring the facility meets their specific requirements. The ARB, which opened at the start of the school year, can accommodate between 20 and 25 students who have an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

A Space Designed for Success

The facility boasts a range of features to support the unique needs of its students, including:

• A state-of-the-art sports hall to encourage physical activity as a means of self-regulation.
• An outdoor play area developed with the support of local businesses.
• A modern teaching kitchen to help students learn essential life skills.
• Advanced IT systems and equipment.
• Specially designed environments to support the sensory needs of young people.
• New accessible ramped access connecting the facility to the heart of the main school.

Photo: Cllr Barbara Ellenbroek cuts the ribbon to mark the official opening of the ARB at Redruth School

Official Opening Ceremony

The ARB was officially opened on Thursday, 26th September, by Councillor Barbara Ellenbroek, Cornwall Council’s cabinet member for children and families. Barbara, who is also the local councillor for Redruth South, expressed her pride in the new facility and its impact on the community.

“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,” she said.

A Step Forward for Inclusive Education

Headteacher Craig Bonds described the opening of the ARB as a significant addition to the school’s facilities, stating, “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.”

The ARB is one of several similar facilities across Cornwall, aimed at providing tailored education and support to pupils with SEND. Currently, there are 23 ARBs spread across the county, with 10 located at secondary schools and 13 at primary schools. A full list of these facilities can be found on Cornwall Council’s website.

Expanding Support for SEND Across Cornwall

The opening of the new ARB at Redruth School is part of a series of projects aimed at improving support for children with SEND in Cornwall. Other initiatives include:

• A new free school for secondary age children with SEMH needs 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 schools that are part of the Special Schools Partnership Trust.

For more information on SEND provision in Cornwall, visit the graduated response for children with SEND pages and the dedicated SEND web pages on Cornwall Council’s website.