A SPECIALIST school for young people with social, emotional and mental health needs is set for a new home in a bid to improve services.

More than £850,000 will be invested in an improved base for the Pathways Special School which caters for young people from across the Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council area.

The move comes in the wake of an investigation into the former head teacher, Steve O’Gara, who has now left the school following a lengthy suspension and investigation into 'irregular practice' during his tenure.

And the local authority is hoping that the investment will mean some of the students currently being educated out of the borough will be able to return closer to home – costing the council almost £3m, not including transport costs.

The authority is proposing that the school is relocated from Tennyson Avenue in Grangetown to a vacant site on Corporation Road in Redcar which was previously used for education purposes. The existing building has limited capacity with poor access and a backlog of maintenance issues.

The new school will be funded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency through the Priority Schools Building Programme with a contribution from the council's Capital Programme.

New headteacher Rachel Glover said: "A new building with exciting new facilities that are designed around the needs of our young people will help our staff to ensure each child has the opportunity to flourish."

A full consultation on the proposals will begin in early November with the families of current students, staff, partners and other relevant parties.

Councillor Craig Hannaway, cabinet member for children at the council, said: "As a council, we are currently unable to meet the needs of all the children who need specialist support within the borough's boundaries.

"Over 45 of our children with SEMH needs are currently educated out of the borough and we know that the numbers of children with needs such as these is increasing. By investing in new, fit for purpose facilities we can better meet young people's needs and ensure that these children, and other local children, are educated centrally near their homes."

Barbara Shaw, the council's corporate director for children and families, confirmed new management had been put in place following an investigation.

She said: “It would be inappropriate to comment specifically on any individual case but we can confirm that revised management arrangements are in place at both Pathways and EOTAS, with new head teachers appointed at each.”