Published 31/08/2026 By William Turtle-Clark

Residents and local groups are being consulted on whether a disused landmark building in Ross-on-Wye should be converted into a special school to help address a shortage of places across the county.

Herefordshire Council is gathering views online on adapting the former Children’s Centre at the Ryefield Centre, located on Grammar School Close, to accommodate 40 pupils aged four to 11 at an estimated cost of £1.2 million.

The council stated there is "a pressing need" to expand specialist education provision for children with complex special educational needs, who currently face long travel times outside the area at significant cost to the local authority.

The proposed school would cater to pupils with "significant, complex and pervasive" needs who hold Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). This includes children with learning difficulties, autism spectrum conditions, speech, language, and communication needs, and social, emotional, and mental health challenges.

According to the consultation, many pupils would travel to the site via council-provided minibuses or multi-occupancy taxis. The facility would not accommodate children with profound and multiple learning difficulties, or those with severe physical disabilities who are unable to walk.

The Edwardian-era former grammar school building is already owned by the council. It previously served as a children's centre—which ceased operations following an "inadequate" Ofsted rating—as well as a community hub and adult day care centre before closing in 2018.

The council is asking respondents to detail "any potential positive or negative impact on children and families, existing schools, neighbouring authorities and local residents" arising from the plans.

Consultation responses must be submitted by 2 October. If feedback is sufficiently positive, the council intends to appoint an education provider to redesign and operate the facility under an anticipated 125-year lease.

Meanwhile, Herefordshire Council has been awarded more than £9 million in government funding to expand SEND provision countywide. The funding will support the expansion of Westfield Special School in Leominster, the creation of dedicated support bases within mainstream schools, and the construction or adaptation of new facilities.