Plans to relocate Barbara Priestman Academy to the site could deliver enhanced facilities while helping address the growing demand for specialist SEND provision across Sunderland.
More children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) could benefit from enhanced specialist facilities under proposals to relocate some SEND provision to Washington.
Sunderland City Council has acquired Sunderland College's former Washington campus for £2.65m on behalf of its children's services provider, Together for Children, securing a major educational asset for the city as demand for specialist SEND provision continues to rise and children and young people's needs become increasingly complex.
Proposals for the site include the relocation of Barbara Priestman Academy, which has outgrown its current location, to create a larger more flexible learning environment and bring the academy's main provision and sixth form together on a single site. Council owned land to the south of the Washington campus can also be incorporated into the development, providing space for new playing fields. The move would be subject to statutory consultation and approval from the Department for Education.
Sunderland City Council's Cabinet has already agreed to fund improvements to the site, with up to £5m of Department for Education grant funding to support refurbishment and suitability works. Detailed design work for the campus, which was originally built to house 800 students, is already underway, with procurement anticipated by the end of 2026, works could begin in early 2027 and sufficient accommodation potentially ready for occupation in the 2027/2028 academic year.
Councillor Carol Giles, Sunderland City Council's Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Social Mobility, said:
"This is an important investment in education in Sunderland and demonstrates our commitment to ensuring children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities have access to the high-quality support and learning environments they deserve.
"Securing the former Washington Campus gives us a unique opportunity to meet growing demand for specialist places and create more space for children and young people with SEND needs to learn, develop and thrive.
"The college has been instrumental in helping us secure the site at a fraction of the cost of building new, while safeguarding its long-term educational use in Sunderland. If the proposals are approved, our partnership with Barbara Priestman will also provide much-needed additional capacity now, while also giving us the opportunity to develop provision that meets the needs of children and young people for years to come."
Graeme Musson, Head of Academy at Barbara Priestman Academy, said:
“We are pleased to be working closely with Sunderland City Council and Together for Children to explore this exciting opportunity for Barbara Priestman Academy.
"We believe every young person deserves an environment where they can thrive and realise their full potential. The proposed move would give us the opportunity to develop modern, spacious facilities that better support the individual strengths, needs and aspirations of our young people, helping them grow in confidence, develop independence and prepare for the future.
"The wellbeing of our young people will remain our priority throughout this process, and we are committed to working closely with families, colleagues and our partners to ensure their voices help shape our proposals."
The City Council's acquisition of the site wouldn't have been possible without the support of Sunderland College and their commitment to securing the campus' future as an educational asset for Sunderland, reflecting the shared ambition of the Council, Together for Children (TfC), Barbara Priestman and Sunderland College to improve outcomes for children and young people.
Emma Cottle, Vice Principal at Sunderland College, said:
"Sunderland College remains fully committed to serving learners from Washington and will continue to provide educational opportunities via our nearby Bede and City campuses, the Housing Innovation Construction Skills Academy, and our community-based provision.
"The transfer ensures the site remains an educational asset for the city and reflects our shared ambition to improve outcomes for children and young people in Sunderland.
"As a recognised centre for excellence for SEND, we're particularly pleased that the campus will support the future development of specialist SEND provision through Barbara Priestman."
Any proposed relocation would be subject to a four-week statutory consultation and subsequent approval by the Department for Education. The Ascent Trust will work with parents, carers and families throughout the consultation process and on any subsequent next steps.
