PLANS have been submitted to create a new school for vulnerable children in the Selby district.

Developers, the Cambian Group, have asked for planning permission to build a small specialist state-funded school which will initially be registered with Ofsted for 12 pupils with an aim to expand at a later date.

A report submitted with the planning request said the school would be next to a bungalow which is currently used by Cambian as a small specialist children's home for four children, and would replace an existing stable block and steel-framed barn which are both due to be demolished.

It said: "The facility will contain five 25m² teaching spaces in order to provide educational support to vulnerable children who have suffered trauma.

"The school will accommodate up to 20 children, aged between seven and 17. The aim is to offer nurturing environments to teach core subjects, daily therapy and community work where the children can feel safe and supported to achieve their personal best."

The school will include rooms for art and design, food technologies, humanities and music, with therapy also taking place at the school.

The Cambian Group specialises in working to support children and adults around the country with learning disabilities such as autism, those with hearing impairment, children with a mental disorder, those in need of care, and those who have suffered trauma in their lives.

In a statement, the group said: "It is now widely recognised that there is a need for separation between home and school for children that have suffered trauma and therefore Cambian now have the responsibility to provide new day schools for the children in their care as mainstream schooling is not appropriate for many children."

The project also includes administration facilities and an outdoor play area, and will provide a number of new jobs for local people and for specially-trained staff.