A Sandbach councillor has welcomed the news that Cheshire East's Sandbach HQ Westfields looks set to become a school for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). 

The closure decision was taken at a meeting of the council's corporate policy committee at the end of last November as part of the 'workplace' programme as we revealed here

A 19th century mansion house, the former home of the Foden family, the iconic truck business on which Sandbach's fortunes were built, was knocked down to make way for the new council HQ. 

Westfields, in Middlewich Road, opened in 2008 as the headquarters of the then-Congleton Borough Council, before it became part of Cheshire East when the authority was formed in 2009. 

But now according to a BBC story here it's been revealed that the preferred option for the building is to use the site as a SEND free school funded by the Department for Education.  

Elworth Cheshire East councillor, Cllr Nicola Cook, a member of Cheshire East Council's children and families committee, said: "Any child has the right to go to school as near to home as possible. 

"Local schools enable children to feel part of a community. It enables children to build friendship groups that can become a network for life and enables parents and carers to have a school choice which enables life to be manageable. 

Clllr Nicola Cook. (Photo: Cheshire East Council)

"For all too long, too many children with special educational needs have had to travel too far, away from home and friends to access the education young people deserve. 

"I am absolutely delighted with this news and will ensure that Sandbach is seen as an area for inclusive and accessible education, which will be perfectly located at the centre of our two existing high schools. This news will change the lives of young people, parents, carers and families." 

Councillor Carol Bulman, chair of Cheshire East Council's children and families committee, said: "Every child is entitled to an education that they can access; they should get the right support, at the right place, at the right time.

"Our vision for children and young people with SEND is the same as for all children and young people - that they achieve well in all aspects of their lives and are happy, fulfilled and play an active role in their communities."

Cheshire East Cllr Laura Crane, Sandbach Ettiley Heath and Wheelock, also a committee member and a special educational needs and disabilities champion, has also been approached for a comment. 

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