Barnet Council to build temporary Send classrooms

Barnet Council has received approval to build temporary modular classrooms and a nursery building at Queenswell Infant and Nursery School in Whetstone. The project aims to create 35 urgently needed school places for children with special educational needs and disabilities (Send) for the upcoming academic year. The decision was unanimously approved by the council's planning committee on Wednesday, 15th July.

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The construction of these quick-build modular facilities is a response to rapidly increasing demand for Send places in the borough, which the council states is outstripping projected needs. Reports indicate that Oakleigh Junior School and Mapledown Secondary School are expected to be oversubscribed from September. The temporary buildings at Queenswell are part of an immediate phase to meet the most critical need for September 2026, with further provision planned for September 2027.

The plans involve a single-storey, U-shaped Send building and a separate single-storey modular nursery building. These structures will be located on a grassed area to the east of the infant and nursery school and are expected to remain in place for a temporary period of five years. The buildings will feature interlocking module units with vertical wood-effect cladding in a tea green colour. The project also includes the provision of car and minibus parking and alterations to internal access roads.

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While these temporary measures are being implemented, Barnet Council's preferred long-term solution is the development of a new 380-place Send school. However, feasibility studies and site location challenges mean this permanent facility is not anticipated to be ready until 2029 at the earliest, according to a council report. The growing need for special educational provision is a national issue, with a Department for Education report showing a 33% increase in pupils requiring Send support across the country since 2016.

The funding for these emergency building projects is expected to be covered by grant funding from the Department for Education. Chipping Barnet MP Dan Tomlinson has publicly stated his commitment to advocating for Barnet's Send children to receive the necessary school places and government support.

The contract for the construction works is anticipated to be awarded to Wernick Buildings, a company specialising in modular building solutions.