PLANS for a new building to house a specialist school in Redcar has moved a step closer to completion.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's cabinet agreed the scheme for Pathways School on Tuesday.

The current Pathways building needs further improvement and the new building will provide an opportunity to create something suitable for young people with social, emotional and mental health needs.

Cllr Craig Hannaway, the council's cabinet member for children, said: “We believe that every child deserves the best education possible and we want all our children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities to be educated in a school that is fit for purpose.

“Getting a good quality education is the best foundation for a successful future and a new school building for Pathways will help pupils become an integral part of a welcoming local community.”

Currently 64 pupils can be catered for but the new school building, to be built on the site of the former Redcar Education Development Centre, in Redcar, will have room for up to 100 pupils.

The increase in capacity will allow some children who currently have to be educated outside the borough to join with the other pupils currently attending Pathways.

The next stage is for a planning application to be submitted before the estimated construction date in July.