Former navy site to become school for troubled youths

North Yorkshire County Council says the site, at Forest Moor, Darley, which was planned to be used as a medium security psychiatric hospital, is to be opened up as a community special school for boys with behaviour, emotional and social difficulties.

The pupils at the new building, called Foremost School, are being transferred from the county council owned Baliol School in Sedbergh, Cumbria, and will serve North Yorkshire communities to the west of the A1.

The new site will house up to 40 pupils aged between 11 and 16 as well as containing specialist provision for science, art, music and drama, a library, assembly rooms and a four-court sports hall.

County Councillor John Watson, executive member for schools, said: “The new facilities at Foremost School will improve significantly the quality of teaching and residential accommodation available for students, as well as being closer to the majority of children’s homes.”

Last week, pupils and staff toured the site accompanied by two senior non commissioned officers in the Royal Engineers who are acting as clerks of works on the project.

Chair of governors of Baliol School, Eileen Visser said: “We are all looking forward to the completion of this exciting project to provide the best education and care that can be offered to the students.

“It will enable us to provide an innovative curriculum and a range of opportunities to meet the individual needs of the students, working in partnership with the community.”

The Forest Moor complex was built in the 1980s. The eight-hectare site currently includes two residential blocks, a dining and social area, offices and classrooms, a sports hall, a car park and a football pitch.

Baliol School is expected to transfer to the new site at the end of the year.

The county council’s other provision for pupils with behavioural, social and educational demands, include the residential special school of Brompton Hall, near Scarborough and the pupil referral service in Harrogate and Skipton.