Over three quarters of a million to be spent to make Kington high school more accessible

A contract worth over three quarters of a million pounds has been awarded to make a Hereford high school more accessible.

Lady Hawkins’ School in Kington will get a new single-storey extension which will include internal and external platform lifts, along with alterations and refurbishments within the existing building such as widened doorways.

Herefordshire Council has given the £750,398 contract for the work to J Harper & Sons of Leominster following a competitive tender – which said the work would likely be carried out between now and October next year.

Part of the council’s Schools Accessibility Programme, the measures will ensure “more suitable placements for pupils with special needs within the local community”, the record of the council’s decision says.

Meeting the needs of such pupils within local schools rather than outside the area will lead to savings for the council in the longer term, it explains.

Not carrying out the work would also mean the council “would fail in its statutory duty to place children with special educational needs and / or disabilities in schools”, it adds

The same fund has already paid for similar measures at Brockhampton Primary School near Bromyard.