New classrooms will allow Worthing school to expand

West Sussex County Council is looking to invest £1.99million in Palatine Primary School.

The money would fund four new classrooms, allowing the school to expand by 24 places from 153 to 177.

An existing single modular unit would be removed to make way for the new building.

The school caters for pupils with moderate, severe or profound learning needs many of whom have associated sensory, motor and communication difficulties including Autistic Spectrum Conditions.

The four extra classrooms will provide extra planned places utilising three of these, with the fourth absorbing places where the school has ‘pent-up demand’ in preparation for the new facilities.

The report added: “The new facilities will facilitate increased opportunities and resources for the complex young children attending Palatine. Without these facilities these young children will be at risk of attending independent provisions which typically cost four times as much (not including travel costs) and potentially move them further away from being educated locally.”

The county council is set to launch a tendering process for a contractor to carry out the necessary design work including submitting a planning application.

Current timescales would see a planning application lodged in March 2021, with works commencing on site this autumn and permanent accommodation available for September 2022,