Pens Meadow school was officially opened yesterday by a party including the leader of the council, the Mayor of Dudley and staff and students from the new school.
Built on the site of the former Pensnett High School, it is the new custom-built home for the Pens Meadow school which was previously split across two sites in Ridge Hill and Pensnett.
With the new build, not only is travel between the sites no longer required but the school has been able to increase its intake and add a nursery facility.
The new school provides education for 155 children and young people aged 3 to 19 together with a nursery assessment unit for the borough. The purpose-built school offers specialist facilities for pupils with complex needs and severe learning difficulties including autism and profound and multiple learning difficulties
The school has fourteen large adaptable classrooms, some with hoists, a modern state of the art stainless steel hydrotherapy pool, a rebound room with a large floor level trampoline to help pupils develop motor skills, therapy rooms, individual group teaching rooms, as well as outdoor teaching and play areas, along with an upgraded forest school and multi-use games area. There is also a food technology room with independent living space to prepare pupils for adult life.
The school began a phased move to the new site in the autumn of 2025, bringing pupils across in a managed manner. Everyone is now on the new site and making the most of their new home.
Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of the council said: “While our priority was creating a purpose-built school for our SEND pupils to give them the facilities, opportunities and education they deserve it has also allowed us to make a long term saving.
“Placing children in out of borough specialist education is not only significantly more costly to the authority, it’s also more disruptive for families and more demanding for children who have to be driven across our borders every day.
"This is a win-win situation, a purpose-built school for children who need it most and an investment in the future for generations to come.”
Marie Hunter, Headteacher of Pens Meadow School, said: “We are delighted to officially open our new school and welcome visitors like the Mayor to see what we’ve achieved. It’s a dream come true for the staff, pupils and parents.
“These new purpose-built facilities will help us to meet the complex needs of our pupils and enhance provision for our incredible Pens Meadow Community.”
The design for the new building incorporates many Passivhaus sustainability and low energy technologies including high level insulation to reduce heat loss, PV panels for electrical generation, along with air source heat pumps and storm water attenuation underneath the extended carpark.
A dedicated secured drop off area has also been created to accommodate numerous minibuses and taxis used for the children and helping to minimise disruption to Tiled House Lane.
The school was designed by Dudley Council's corporate landlords commissioning and construction team, in partnership with external consultants and Wombourne-based lead contractor, Interclass.
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