A SCHOOL for pupils with additional needs has officially opened its extension building to cope with growing demand in Worcestershire.

Mike Eglesfield – acting headteacher at Regency High School – said every special school in the county was growing due to an increase in population.

He added: “The numbers continue to increase. This is the case for all special schools. I believe this is a demographic thing in terms of Worcestershire growing and a rise in population. It seems there are more pupils with complex needs and needing a special school place.”

The number of pupils at the school in Carnforth Drive, Warndon, has gone up 20 per cent in a year, with just under 200 pupils attending the school. This is Regency High’s second extension which has enabled the school to increase their capacity and take on more pupils. The £1million project, backed by the Education and Skills Funding Agency, includes a new two-storey building with four extra classrooms, a staffroom, toilets, a flat where older children can learn about independent living and a lift.

Community governor, Jon Pearsall, who has been involved at the school for 30 years, said: “We are always full and constantly under pressure to take more pupils on. We are a successful academy and lots of people want to come to Regency because of what we are – we have a magic about this school I am very proud of."

Regency High School, who take on pupils between the age of 11 to 19, unveiled the new building on April 9.

READ MORE:

"I feel like my head is going to explode" - says an angry dad who claims builders wake him up daily at 7am

Worcester petrol station hit by thieves driving off without paying two or three times a week

Growing up: Building work continues at North Worcester Primary Academy