Wollaton school expansion provides £4m boost for Nottingham SEND pupils

James Thorne Author 2026-05-22 11:51 4 min read

A yellow construction crane stands next to a multi-storey concrete building undergoing expansion or renovation.

Contents

Specialist facilities for Fernwood Academy pupils
Supporting independence through life skills and sensory design
Financial strategy to reduce out-of-area school placements
Next steps for Wollaton construction project

Nottingham children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are set to benefit from a major investment in local education as Fernwood Academy prepares to open a new specialist unit. Nottingham City Council has confirmed an additional £830,000 in funding for the project in Wollaton, bringing the total investment to £3.98 million. This development is designed to provide high-quality, local support for young people with moderate learning difficulties and autistic spectrum disorder.

The new purpose-built facility will accommodate 24 pupils across Key Stages 3 and 4. Of these, 20 places have been specifically commissioned by the Council to meet the growing demand for specialist education within the city boundaries. By creating these places locally, the project aims to ensure that students can remain within their own communities rather than being transported to costly out-of-area provisions.

Specialist facilities for Fernwood Academy pupils

The design of the new unit at Fernwood Academy focuses on creating a low-stress environment tailored to the specific sensory and emotional needs of its students. Unlike standard classroom settings, this unit incorporates features intended to foster emotional regulation and physical wellbeing. A key highlight of the project is the inclusion of dedicated sensory spaces, which provide a controlled environment for pupils who may experience sensory overload.

Outdoor learning and relaxation also play a significant role in the development. The site will feature a relocated sensory garden, a project that has been directly shaped by feedback from current pupils. This garden is intended to be a therapeutic space where students can engage with nature in a safe, quiet setting. To ensure the facility is accessible to all, the plans include significant upgrades to site access, including improved drop-off areas and dedicated parking for families and transport providers.

Wollaton school expansion provides £4m boost for Nottingham SEND pupils

Supporting independence through life skills and sensory design

Beyond traditional academic subjects, the Fernwood Academy unit is designed to prepare young people for the transition into adulthood. The inclusion of dedicated life skills kitchens will allow students to practice everyday tasks such as cooking and cleaning in a supportive environment. These practical facilities are essential for helping pupils gain the confidence and independence needed for life after school.

Councillor Sulcan Mahmood, Executive Member for Employment, Education and Skills, noted that the unit will provide specialist support within a mainstream setting. This model allows young people to develop lifelong skills close to home while still being part of a broader school community. The focus remains on delivering long-term outcomes that help students thrive both educationally and socially.

Financial strategy to reduce out-of-area school placements

This investment is a cornerstone of the Council’s SEND Sufficiency Strategy 2023–2028. The strategy was developed to address the rising demand for specialist places and the increasing financial pressure on the High Needs education budget. Currently, many local authorities across the UK rely on independent or out-of-city placements when local capacity is reached, which often involves high tuition fees and significant transport costs.

By increasing in-city capacity at schools like Fernwood Academy, Nottingham City Council expects to reduce its reliance on these external providers. The £3.98 million total project cost reflects the necessity of high-specification design and the recent rise in construction costs across the sector. Funding for the expansion is provided by the Department for Education’s High Needs Provision Capital Allocation, which is specifically earmarked for improving and expanding SEND infrastructure.

Next steps for Wollaton construction project

Following the approval of the additional funding, construction at the Fernwood Academy site is expected to move forward immediately. The project is part of a wider statutory duty for the Council to ensure there are sufficient and appropriate school places for all children in the region, regardless of their complexity of need.

The expansion at Fernwood Academy is one of several initiatives aimed at bolstering the city’s educational infrastructure. As the project progresses, the focus will remain on ensuring the facility is ready to welcome its first cohort of pupils into an environment that prioritises their safety, learning, and emotional growth. This investment represents a long-term commitment to the families of Nottingham, ensuring that children with special educational needs have the same opportunities for success as their peers.

Source: Nottingham City Council