Axed school to re-open?

A WARRINGTON primary school, controversially closed last year, looks set to re-open as a specialist education catering for vulnerable children.
The former Longbarn Primary School will house the short-stay New Horizons School school, which provides education and care for pupils who are excluded from mainstream schools or at risk of exclusion.
At present, the New Horizons School occupies three sites, Halliwell Jones Stadium, Grappenhall Hall School and Loushers Lane.
The buildings at Grappenhall Hall and Loushers Lane are in need of attention and significant investment while the quality of accommodation at Longbarn is better and will need less investment.
Moving two centres of provision onto the same site would significantly improve the educational experience for pupils and also bring benefits in terms management and reducing running costs.
Once the school is up and running nearby residents will have access to facilities on site outside Horizon’s hours of operation.
Cllr Sheila Woodyatt, (pictured) the borough council’s executive member for Children and Young People said: “I welcome this move as two of the current sites delivering education to some of our vulnerable young people would need a huge amount of investment to modernise the buildings to the standards the pupils deserve.”
If plans go ahead it is hoped the new centre will be remodelled over the summer and will open its doors in early November. It will be able to take up to 50 pupils.
Borough officers will be meeting with local parish councillors to discuss the plans in further detail this week.