£2.5m contract awarded for expansion of Newfield School, Blackburn

The authority has awarded the contract for the expansion of its biggest special school.

The new building, estimated to cost in excess of £2.5million at Newfield School, has gone to Longridge-based Walter Carefoot & Sons (Construction) Ltd.

It is to add an extra five classrooms, plus associated works, creating an additional 65 places within the borough.

The programme is expected to take approximately eight months commencing this summer.

The extension is required because of a growing need for SEND education in the borough.

Planning permission for the new single-storey extension was granted in May.

Newfield School, in Old Bank Lane, Shadsworth, near Royal Blackburn Hospital offers specialist education for children and young people aged between two and 19 years old.

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Blackburn with Darwen Council’s education boss Cllr Julie Gunn said: “We, like many councils across the country, have seen an increased need for specialist educational provision and our aim is to be able to keep children close to home for their education.

“There will always be a need for out of borough special school provision, but we have seen an increase in demand resulting in a number of children that require more specialised placements being educated outside of Blackburn with Darwen.

“The extension of Newfield is part of our plan to fulfil our commitment to increasing provision in the local authority, both to support the best interests of children and their families and to reduce the number of children who are travelling beyond the borough.

“The additional 65 places will be a great addition to a wonderful school that is very popular with children and their families.”

The authority’s Conservative group leader Cllr John Slater said: “First of all I welcome this expansion of SEND places in the borough.

“But I have concerns about the council’s project management.

“I want to see this expansion delivered on time and on budget.

“We will be watching for any slippage.”

Cllr Gunn’s decision notice awarding the contract said: “Maintaining school operations during the planned programme of works is a key priority.

“Timely completion of the tender and contract award process is important to enable the contractor to start on site before the start of the new academic year 2025-2026.”

It was revealed that six firms bid for the contract.

Cllr Mustafa Desai, leader of the official 4BwD opposition group said: "I welcome the recognition of the growing need for specialist school places in Blackburn with Darwen and support the planned expansion of Newfield Specialist School as a positive step toward meeting that demand.

"Providing an additional 65 places and five new classrooms will undoubtedly help address the pressures faced by families and educators. I commend the commitment to maintaining school operations throughout the construction period and recognise the importance of delivering this programme with minimal disruption to pupils.

"I urge the Executive Member to ensure that the timeline is robustly maintained and continuously reviewed in light of the urgent need for specialist provision. Delays would potentially impact families that need support, any opportunities to accelerate delivery wherever possible should be explored.

"It is reassuring that the submitted tender falls within the allocated budget, this will provide confidence to the people of the borough.

"I will support constructively to ensure that this expansion delivers real, lasting benefits for children with additional needs and their families and I will continue to advocate for timely, inclusive, and high-quality education across the borough."