Plans Submitted for New £25.6 Million SEND School on Inglemire Lane in Hull

Plans have been submitted for one of the most significant educational developments in Hull in recent years — a new £25.6 million special school that will provide 125 places for pupils with severe physical and learning difficulties.

The Willowfield Free School would be built on land east of Frederick Holmes School on Inglemire Lane in north Hull, with Sewell Construction appointed as lead contractor for the 44,000 sq ft two-storey building. The project is funded by the Department for Education and is being delivered by Hull City Council in partnership with Hull Esteem LEP.

First announced in 2019, the school has been subject to delays and significant cost increases, with the budget rising from an original estimate of £19.6 million to £25.6 million. However, the submission of planning documents marks a crucial step forward, with construction expected to begin later in 2026 and completion targeted for November.

Meeting a critical need

The need for additional SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) provision in Hull has been well documented. Families of children with complex needs have long campaigned for more local places, with some pupils currently having to travel significant distances to access appropriate education.

"This school has been a long time coming, but the fact that plans have now been submitted is hugely encouraging," said Sarah Mitchell, a parent and SEND campaigner from Hull. "For families like mine, having a high-quality school on our doorstep would be life-changing."

The Willowfield Free School would cater specifically for children and young people with severe physical and learning difficulties, offering a purpose-built environment designed around their needs. The two-storey building will include specialist classrooms, dedicated teaching and therapy spaces, a hydrotherapy pool, and a new access road and parking facilities.

State-of-the-art design

The architectural plans show a building designed with accessibility at its core. Wide corridors, sensory rooms, specialist equipment hoists and fully accessible outdoor spaces are all included in the design, ensuring that every pupil can participate fully in school life.

The hydrotherapy pool is expected to be a standout feature, providing therapeutic water-based activities that can support physical development, pain management and wellbeing. Such facilities are rare in mainstream education and represent a significant investment in the quality of provision available to Hull's most vulnerable learners.

"Everything about this school has been designed with the children in mind," said a Hull City Council spokesperson. "We've consulted extensively with families, educators and health professionals to ensure that the building meets the highest standards of specialist provision."

Construction timeline

Subject to planning approval, Sewell Construction is expected to begin work on site later in 2026. The company, which is based in Hull, has a strong track record of delivering major construction projects across the region and has expressed its commitment to using local subcontractors and suppliers wherever possible.

The construction phase is expected to create dozens of jobs and apprenticeship opportunities, providing a welcome economic boost alongside the educational benefits.

"As a Hull-based company, we're incredibly proud to be involved in this project," said a Sewell Construction spokesperson. "Building a school that will make such a difference to local families is exactly why we do what we do."

Looking ahead

If all goes to plan, the Willowfield Free School will welcome its first pupils in the 2027-28 academic year. For the families who have been waiting years for this moment, that day cannot come soon enough.

The submission of planning documents represents the most tangible progress to date on a project that has become a priority for Hull's education community. While challenges remain — not least the need to manage costs carefully in a challenging construction environment — the momentum is now firmly forward.