Sunderland City Council has acquired a former college campus for £2.65m on behalf of its children's services provider, Together for Children, to create more space for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
The council proposes to relocate specialist school Barbara Priestman Academy, which has outgrown its current location, to create a larger, more flexible learning environment and bring the academy's main provision and sixth form together on a single site.
Council-owned land to the south of the Washington campus, previously owned by Sunderland College, can also be incorporated into the development, providing space for new playing fields. The move would be subject to statutory consultation and approval from the Department for Education.
Sunderland City Council's Cabinet has agreed to fund improvements to the site, with up to £5m of Department for Education grant funding to support refurbishment and suitability works.
Detailed design work for the campus, which was originally built to house 800 students, is already underway. With procurement anticipated by the end of 2026, works could begin in early 2027 and sufficient accommodation potentially ready for occupation in the 2027/2028 academic year.
Carol Giles, Sunderland City Council's cabinet member for children's services, education and social mobility, said: "This is an important investment in education in Sunderland and demonstrates our commitment to ensuring children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities have access to the high-quality support and learning environments they deserve."
Graeme Musson, head of academy at Barbara Priestman Academy, part of the Ascent Trust, said: "We are pleased to be working closely with Sunderland City Council and Together for Children to explore this exciting opportunity for Barbara Priestman Academy.
"We believe every young person deserves an environment where they can thrive and realise their full potential. The proposed move would give us the opportunity to develop modern, spacious facilities that better support the individual strengths, needs and aspirations of our young people, helping them grow in confidence, develop independence and prepare for the future."
The council said its acquisition of the site would not have been possible without the support of Sunderland College.