Plans to turn Worthing rest home into learning centre for school children submitted

If approved, they would see the 13-bedroom home in Windsor Road used as an alternative school for ten to 17-year-olds.

The Red Balloon Educational Trust wants to use the site to educate and provide therapy for up to 20 children on site and four online students who may be unable or unwilling to attend mainstream schools.

The children are described as ‘quiet’ and sometimes ‘anxious’ and they may have been bullied at school.  The charity aims to reintegrate these children into mainstream education or training.

The house was offered to the charity by a ‘generous benefactor’ who lives in the area.

Floor plans show art and science classrooms as well as five other teaching rooms, several quiet rooms, a therapy room and a canteen.

The charity said that the 12 staff at the centre – fewer than there were at the rest home – would not pose any parking or traffic issues.

In addition, it said it was ‘confident’ that neighbours would not be disturbed by those attending the centre, saying: “Unlike mainstream schools, RB Centres are by nature very quiet.

“Even where breaks are taken in the garden, our students (who are typically adolescents) prefer to sit with small groups and talk quietly.

“We are confident that noise generated by our activities would rarely exceed that of a typical family.”

Four letters from residents who live near existing Red Balloon centres claim they have not been disturbed by the charity’s activities or those attending the centre adding that they are ‘good neighbours’.

East Worthing and Shoreham MP Tim Loughton expressed his support for the plans, saying: “I have been enormously impressed with the work of Red Balloon since I first met the founder Dr Carrie Herbert about fifteen years ago in my capacity as shadow Mental Health Minister and then subsequently Children’s Minister.

“Red Balloon is well known to the Department for Education and a trusted partner in this area of support for children and young people. It is a leader in this field which is sadly greatly under-resourced but where the demand has been increasing exponentially and that has been further exacerbated by the pandemic.

“I am delighted that we shall soon have a Red Balloon Learner Centre in my constituency, and this will be an enormous benefit to families from Worthing.”

The agent for the application said that, although there is a case to continue using the residence for care, the fact that it was vacated and not sold on to a new operator means it is unlikely to be used for this purpose in the future.

In its application for a change of use, the charity said: “Without Red Balloon’s Recovery Programme students who have suffered severe bullying,

trauma or mental health difficulties are at high risk of becoming NEET (not in education, employment or training), being unable to sustain themselves economically and of suffering long term mental ill-health throughout adulthood.

“About two thirds have special educational needs that are not being met in

mainstream settings, and at least half have attempted or seriously considered suicide.

“Our aim is to enable students to become independent, thriving, self-sustaining adults who are able to contribute to society.

“Typically, students join us during their secondary education career. 92 per cent leave us to begin post 16 studies within mainstream settings such as Sixth Form or Further Education Colleges.

“Of these, 95 per cent are able to complete their course and move on to post 18 education and/or employment opportunities.”

Red Balloon said a Worthing centre could help students with high absence rates in West Sussex to return to full-time education.

Red Balloon previously made an appeal for DIY assistance to refurbish the property.

More information can be found on the Adur and Worthing Councils planning portal using the code AWDM/1474/21.