The City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet has approved plans for a new Communication and Interaction Resource Base at Stow Heath Primary School.
The proposals, agreed by councillors, will see the creation of a new, 20-place Resource Base focused on communication and interaction, designed to support children with speech, language and communication needs, and Autism Spectrum Disorder.
The Resource Base is expected to open in January 2028 and will be integrated into the primary school, which is being modernised as part of wider rebuilding work by the Department of Education. Demand for specialist school places in Wolverhampton has risen significantly in recent years, with the total number of pupils of statutory school age who have an Education Health and Care Plan projected to increase by a further 26% by 2030.
The council has carried out both initial and formal statutory consultations into the proposals, which showed strong support. Stow Heath Headteacher Lisa Scoffham said: “At Stow Heath, we are delighted at the next exciting chapter in our school’s journey; this is a significant investment in our children, our community, and our shared belief that every pupil deserves the right support and an exceptional place to learn and grow.
“Our pupils work incredibly hard each day to reach their full potential, and we remain committed to valuing, encouraging, and supporting every learner – both academically and personally. This specialist provision will allow us to meet the needs of even more local families, ensuring children can learn, flourish, and feel included within a welcoming mainstream school environment.
“We are delighted to be working in partnership with the City of Wolverhampton Council and look forward to the positive impact this development will bring for many years to come.”
Councillor Jacqui Coogan, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: "Demand for specialist school places in Wolverhampton has risen sharply in recent years, with a significant increase in the number of children requiring Education, Health and Care Plans.
"Speech, language and communication support is currently the most prevalent primary need among children with EHCPs, and Autism Spectrum Disorder remains a common diagnosis, and we are therefore pleased to have received approval for these proposals for a new Resource Base to help meet this growing demand. By investing in specialist provision within mainstream settings – such as that planned for Stow Heath – we are not only meeting rising demand but also giving children the opportunity to attend school closer to home and learn alongside their peers in a mainstream setting, while benefitting from a broader range of educational expertise and support services."
