Grimsby’s SEMH Free School Delayed Until 2028, Councillors Express Outrage

Plans for a new free school in Grimsby dedicated to pupils with social, emotional, and mental health needs (SEMH) have faced significant delays, pushing its anticipated opening to 2028 at the earliest. The council’s frustrations are mounting over the slow progress of this much-needed project, which aims to support up to 150 students aged 8 to 19 years.

The proposed school is set to be built on the site of former high-rise flats off Albion Street, with a vision approved by the North East Lincolnshire Council’s cabinet in 2022. This initiative was part of a larger government commitment to establish 60 new free schools across the country, with the Department for Education (DfE) leading the development efforts. Despite initial hopes for construction to commence in the summer of 2023, complications have arisen that have hindered progress.

The DfE’s recent assessment of the site has unveiled additional costs that North East Lincolnshire Council must address, resulting in a revised capital investment requirement, which has now increased from £1 million to a total of £3.3 million. Councillors have criticized the government’s handling of the project, expressing concern that vulnerable children in the area are being left without necessary support.

Cllr Steve Beasant, representing the Liberal Democrats, voiced his frustrations, stating, “The Government approved this new SEMH school in 2022, yet all we’ve had since then is delay after delay. It’s completely unacceptable.” He emphasized that the East Marsh community continues to be neglected during this period of inaction.

The delays have been attributed, in part, to advice from the Environment Agency regarding flood risk, which necessitated a redesign of the school by the DfE. Cllr Nicola Aisthorpe, also from the East Marsh area, underscored the human impact of these setbacks, remarking, “Each year it is delayed, vulnerable children are left without the specialist support they urgently need here in North East Lincolnshire.”

Currently, 169 children with SEMH needs from North East Lincolnshire are being placed in educational settings outside the borough. This situation has prompted local officials to reevaluate their strategies for supporting these children closer to home.

Cllr Margaret Cracknell, the Conservative portfolio holder for children and education, highlighted the financial implications of the ongoing delays. “The cost of sending our children and young people to out-of-area schools to receive this care is huge and continues to grow,” she noted. She emphasized that the new school would not only provide essential services to local children but also generate considerable savings for the council—estimated at £3 million annually.

Cracknell reaffirmed the council’s commitment to building a stronger community, stating, “We must rise to the challenge of providing opportunity for all. This planned new school is set to offer our young people and their families so very much.” She added that enabling children to receive support in their local environment would foster a more conducive atmosphere for their growth and development.

Addressing the delays, Cracknell acknowledged the shared frustration among council members. “Yes, my fellow cabinet members and I share the same frustrations regarding the delays and the further issues that have arisen in enabling this scheme to progress,” she said. “But we also share a collective determination to do all we can to support a better future here for those who, with the right support, will grow to make a positive contribution to our communities here in North East Lincolnshire.”

In response to the criticism, a spokesperson for the DfE stated, “This government inherited a SEND system left on its knees—which is why we are listening closely to families and teachers as we work to make sure more children can achieve and thrive in their local school.” The spokesperson highlighted ongoing efforts to improve the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system, including a £740 million investment aimed at creating more specialist places in mainstream schools.

As the community waits for progress, local leaders remain hopeful that the new SEMH school will eventually secure the necessary funding and support to provide crucial services for children in Grimsby. The urgency of this project underscores the broader need for accessible mental health resources within educational settings across the region.