Derbyshire County Council has approved £1.8 million in funding for Esteem Multi-Academy Trust to convert the former Hunloke Adult Education Centre in Birdholme, Chesterfield, into a specialist education facility.
The centre will create up to 100 new places for students who have been excluded from mainstream education, with a focus on supporting those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The facility is expected to open by September 2026.
The council has already provided £400,000 for a feasibility study, matched by an equal contribution from Esteem Multi-Academy Trust. The redevelopment forms part of Derbyshire’s wider effort to expand SEND provision across the county, in response to increasing demand for specialist support.
The new site aims to help students reintegrate into education following exclusion and provide tailored learning environments that meet complex needs. The project aligns with the council’s broader strategy to work with local schools and trusts to improve access to appropriate education across Derbyshire.
