Alternative Education Building Secures £1 Million Investment

A new school building, intended for children and young people who have faced challenges in mainstream education, has received an investment exceeding £1 million. Gloucestershire County Council dedicated approximately £1.3 million to the purchase and renovation of The Eastbrook Centre in Gloucester. This facility is equipped to educate up to 48 pupils in Years 10 and 11. These enhanced facilities, which operate as a component of the Altus School, now feature a science laboratory, an art room, and specialized provisions for food technology and catering. Councillor Philip Robinson, the cabinet member for education and bus transport, commented that the investment’s core purpose is to support some of the “most vulnerable young people back into education”. Mr Robinson further stated: “Over the last few years, we have transformed our alternative provision to focus on earlier intervention and outreach work with pupils in mainstream schools who could be at risk of exclusion, to support them to remain and thrive in their current school.” The council affirmed that enhancing the special educational needs and disability (SEND) and alternative provision available to young people is considered one of its “top priorities”. Emma Gundry, the Director of alternative provision and headteacher at The Altus School, stated: “We have a fantastic team of dedicated staff who work with our pupils to support them to overcome some of the challenges they have had at school; to build relationships with them and support them to engage positively with education.”