SEND school seeks retrospective permission after six years on Nacton Road site
A specialist school for children with special educational needs has applied for retrospective planning permission to continue operating from an industrial building in Nacton Road, where it has run since 2019.
Why it matters: The school caters to pupils aged 11 to 19 who have struggled to access mainstream education, but has been operating for six years without formal planning permission for the change of use.
The details: New Skill Centre is seeking retrospective permission from Ipswich Borough Council to transform the industrial building at The Drift, in Nacton Road, into a school for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
- The school has welcomed SEND pupils aged 11 to 19 since 2019, supporting young people who have difficulty accessing mainstream settings and other large educational institutions.
- It employs 28 members of staff.
- A separate unit on the site, recently used as a woodworking training facility, would also form part of the conversion.
What they're saying: Mark Winston, the headteacher, said the school aims to "improve life chances of every young person."
"We are a dedicated and passionate team, ready to support young people to develop their knowledge and skills to help prepare them for the next stages in their lives," he said.
For context: Despite the retrospective nature of the application, planning documents state the building has been used as an education or community facility for the last 20 years.
The school's most recent Ofsted inspection, in June 2025, rated it as good and concluded pupils received excellent support.
The works: Building control officers at the council have already approved works on the site, which include:
- A new foyer
- 22 teaching spaces
- A dining area
- Toilets
What's next: Council officers are now reviewing the application, with a decision expected by Wednesday, 17 June 2026.
The bottom line: A school that has supported SEND pupils for six years is now formally seeking the planning permission needed to continue operating from its Nacton Road home.
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