Council proposes new home for Thomasson Memorial Special School

Earlier this year, the Department for Education (DfE) confirmed that Thomasson Memorial Special School would be included in the School Rebuilding Programme.

The decision recognised that the building was no longer fit for purpose.

Since then, the council has been working to identify a suitable site for the school, which teaches around 90 children aged 2 to 16 who are deaf.

It is one of very few schools of its kind, supporting children from 13 different local authorities, some of whom have complex needs.

Now, a report due to be considered at an upcoming Executive Cabinet Member Meeting suggests rebuilding the school at land off Lever Edge Lane.

Until recently the area was used as the temporary site for the King’s Leadership Academy.

Ordinarily, schools are rebuilt as close to their original site as possible, but Thomasson’s unique provision means it can relocate within the borough without causing significant disruption to pupils or their families.

The report highlights how rebuilding Thomasson closer to existing schools provides opportunities to collaborate and for students to work with their hearing peers.

The move would also free up the existing Thomasson school site to be used by nearby Devonshire Road CP School, which needs additional outdoor space.

The report details how the extra space would improve the physical and mental wellbeing of pupils at Devonshire Road.

Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Cllr Martin Donaghy, said:

“This is a fantastic opportunity to build a state-of-the-art special school on land that is already being used for education, while also giving young children more space to play and enjoy themselves.

“The existing Thomasson building has not been fit for purpose for some time and it is only the hard work and dedication of staff that made it work for as long as it did.

“Identifying a site is a significant step forward towards giving pupils, staff and the entire Thomasson Memorial School community the first-rate facilities that they deserve.

“The Thomasson building holds a very special place in the hearts of our deaf community.

“Once we have confirmed the site we can start to engage with pupils past and present to help inform the design of the new building and preserve the school’s legacy.”

Lisa Lane, the Headteacher at Thomasson Memorial School, said:

“I’m really pleased with the proposal and excited to move forward with the new build.

“This is a fantastic opportunity, as it means that not only one school will benefit, but two.

“I’m particularly excited that we will be located near both local primary and secondary schools, allowing us to forge new relationships and strengthen our community connections.”

Emma Hodge, Headteacher at Devonshire Road Primary School, said:

“This is a very exciting opportunity for us. We are a vibrant and popular community school with waiting lists for most year groups.  

“Our current grounds are very limited in space for the number of children we have. 

“Currently our lunchtimes span over a two-hour period to enable the children to have adequate space in which to play. 

“This extra outdoor area will have a significant impact on our children’s wellbeing and enable us to develop our outdoor learning offer as well as community links.”