AN ABANDONED office block could become a new special educational needs school, under new proposals lodged to Dorset Council. 

Farrs House, in Cowgrove Road, Wimborne, has been empty since early this year but could become a special school for autistic children under new plans. 

Arc Schools say it is expected 25 new staff members could be recruited for the new school, with staff members outnumbering the number of pupils. 

Under the proposals, the school would have a “calm” atmosphere to cater for the pupil’s needs. 

A statement by applicants Tanner & Tilley Planning Consultants, on behalf of Arc Schools, said: “Having autistic spectrum condition can negatively affect a young person's expressive and reciprocal language and processing skills.  

Dorset Echo: Farrs House, WimborneFarrs House, Wimborne (Image: Google)

“As a result of this need, the school will be very calm and has a curriculum endorsed by ‘mindfulness in schools association’; essentially this means that emotional literacy, or talking about what they are doing and why they are doing it, is integral to the school day. 

“The school will not have big loud break times, as most of our students are very noise sensitive. Some may walk the grounds with adult supervision, others will take part in mindful activities in class (colouring, listening to music etc). 

“The applicant, Arc Schools Ltd, currently operate a primary school and they require a secondary school for their existing students to graduate to as age permits.  

“The school will teach a range of subjects that you would expect to see in a mainstream school, as well as having therapeutic sessions.” 

The school plans to accept students from Dorset, BCP and Hampshire Council areas who have education health care plans and would not be found in mainstream schools. 

“That means that the school will have a higher ratio of adults to children, often one adult for every four students,” the statement added. 

“The proposals will therefore provide significant employment opportunities both for in-house staff and supporting therapeutic assistants and associated roles.” 

A planning statement said that most the noise for surrounding neighbours would be from vans dropping children off at the start and end of the school day. 

However, the amount of vehicle movements “will not be detrimental” to neighbours because of the designated drop-off and pick-up times.