Staff and pupils at Palmers Cross Primary School are celebrating the official opening of their newly expanded Speech, Language and Communication Resource Base.

Previously housed in two temporary classrooms deemed no longer fit for purpose, the school's original Resource Base supported 16 pupils.

Now, thanks to partnership working between the Elston Hall Learning Trust and the City of Wolverhampton Council, the school has a new, purpose-built facility which can accommodate up to 30 pupils, doubling its capacity and enhancing the learning environment for children with additional needs.

Headteacher Dan Nicholls said: “We are extremely pleased with our new speech and language resource base at Palmers Cross Primary School.  

“Our new building provides excellent classroom space, as well as changing facilities, a fantastic sensory room and outdoor space, which includes an activity play tower.  

“The new provision offers an engaging safe space for pupils’ communication, interaction, sensory and physical needs to be met. Pupils have already enjoyed using the new facilities and our staff are seeing the benefits it brings to our pupils on a daily basis.”

The expansion comes in response to rising demand for specialist school places. Wolverhampton has seen a 48% increase in pupils with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) over the past five years – from 1,244 in April 2019 to 2,956 in April 2024 – with speech, language and communication the most common primary need among these pupils.

Resource Bases, of which there are now 13 at early years settings and primary and secondary schools across the city, provide a specialist learning environment within a mainstream school, with tailored support and therapies for children with specific special educational needs, including speech and language, autism or visual impairments.

Consultation is also currently underway on proposals for a new Resource Base at Stow Heath Primary School.

The plans for the revamped facility at Palmers Cross were approved by councillors last year, and it opened to pupils at the start of this autumn term.

Councillor Jacqui Coogan, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: "We are proud to have worked with Elston Hall Learning Trust to deliver this much-needed redevelopment and expansion of Palmers Cross Primary School’s Resource Base.

“It is an amazing space and is playing a vital role in helping children with speech, language and communication needs thrive.

"As a council, we have a statutory duty to ensure sufficient school places, and that every child has access to the right education in the right setting. This new facility not only meets growing demand but also reinforces our commitment to inclusive education and supporting families within their local communities.”