A NEW ‘satellite school’ for children with special educational needs could be set up near Bridgwater.

Five Rivers Child Care has applied for permission to establish a school at the Blake Training Centre, in Middlezoy.

Currently used as a training centre for hospitality industry qualifications, Five Rivers hopes to create a “satellite school” for Park House School in Taunton.

Up to 15 young people would use the site at any given time, the application said.

“There is a pressing need for more specialist schools to support children and adults with complex learning difficulties,” it said.

“Five Rivers operate a successful and well-established school in Taunton but have a pressing requirement for a satellite school for its students, particularly in a rural woodland setting that will create a therapeutic-based learning environment with access to a safe and enclosed outdoor area.”

Students would be supported by a lead teacher, other teachers and teaching assistants while on site, it said, with the venue open between 7am and 7pm.

“The children that attend the school will travel to and from the school via taxi, public transport or private car and will have staggered start and finish times – very much akin to the training centre,” the plan went on.

The application seeks to establish the Five Rivers facility would be allowed under the current planning status of the site, as it wishes to register with Ofsted.

Somerset Council will now consider the application. For more details, log on to somerset.gov.uk and search application reference 34/24/00010.