Building work begins on new £3.2m Cosham school
WORK to build a new £3.27m school for vulnerable children has begun in Cosham.
Builders are refurbishing the ageing Vanguard Centre, in Sundridge Close, to create a new facility for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs.
Expected to open in the autumn, the new facility will house pupils currently based at The Harbour School, in Fratton.
Councillor Hannah Hockaday, education boss at Portsmouth City Council, said: ‘This is an exciting opportunity to have a specialist vocational educational provision in the city and will greatly benefit pupils aged 14-16 who attend The Harbour School.
‘We look forward to the work being completed and the new building opening later this year.’
The new building will cater for up to 110 pupils. There are three other Harbour School sites at Cosham, Tipner and Stamshaw which will remain open, the council added.
Refurbishment of the former Vanguard Centre will provide appropriate, specialist accommodation for a wide range of vocational subjects and will be specifically tailored to meet the needs of these pupils.
The council said this can have a ‘positive effect’ in preparing the pupils for further education and employment.
Subjects will include mechanics, hair and beauty, catering, construction and animal care. There are also general spaces for key subjects such as English and maths.