More places for autistic children could be created in Halton if  expansion plans for a special needs high school get the go ahead.

Halton's cabinet is recommended to back a statutory consultation paving the way for expanding Ashley High School in Widnes, building four new classrooms and increasing pupil places for 11-19-year-olds from 112 to 152. 

In March the council received notification from the Department for Education (DfE) that it would receive £2.1m of funding to support provision of new places and/or to expand existing provision for pupils and students with high needs.

Councillors then approved a range of capital building projects with the first tranche of funding, which will have resulted in 117 additional special education needs and disabilities (SEND) places in Halton’s primary and secondary schools, and a further 40 additional places at Halton’s special schools.

The latest plans would see the expansion of Ashley at a cost of around £1.8m.

A report to the cabinet said one of the proposed new classrooms would allow for the return to the main Cawfield Avenue site of eight pupils who are currently receiving their education at Ashley’s off-site satellite provision on the grounds of The Heath School in Runcorn, with the further three new classrooms being available for additional pupils and the proposed expansion of provision at Ashley School.

A report to the cabinet said: "Through this additional offer of specialist educational provision and support, Halton resident pupils will have access to provision in borough where previously they may have attended out of borough
provision which is costly both in terms of placement, and transport
to facilitate attendance."

It added: "Therefore, through the provision of additional in borough places, the requirement for expensive out of borough placements and associated transport costs, will significantly decrease."

If rubber-stamped by the cabinet, the consultation would be carried out in accordance with DfE guidance and start on September 23 and last for four weeks.

The school confirmed in 2022 that it would no longer be offering GCSEs and instead introduce a curriculum based around functional skills in core subjects. It said parents of 'academically able children' would be encouraged to look at alternative provisions in order for them to 'achieve their academic potential'.