A LOCAL education authority is increasing its alternative provision for pupils for whom traditional mainstream schooling does not work.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has amended its capital budget to make the changes.

This month's executive board of the borough authorised four changes.

They are:

* The establishment of a project for a refurbishment at the former Stansfeld Centre for the purpose of creating additional alternative school provision capacity for pupils requiring a vocational-based curriculum;

* A budget increase of £250,000 for the previously approved Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND)project at Shadsworth Infant School; and

*a realignment of the budget for works associated to Sunnyhurst Centre and the relocation of Crosshill School.

A report by education boss Cllr Julie Gunn said: "The borough is seeing increased demand for alternative provision for those pupils for which a traditional mainstream education is not proving conducive to effective learning and positive outcomes.

"St Thomas Centre are seeking to expand provision to provide for an increased number of pupils for whom a vocational curriculum would support those pupils to gain key employability and life skills.

"The former Stansfeld Centre provides a good central location and plentiful indoor and outdoor space that can be refurbished for an appropriate teaching and learning environment.

"An alternative provision vocational teaching resource will further enhance existing borough provision and will specifically support some of our most vulnerable pupils with a particular focus on those pupils that require a more personalised and tailored education to support their social, emotional and mental health needs.

"The Shadsworth Infant School SEND project was established with a budget allocation of £260,000.

"All tender returns were higher than the established budget

" The key reason for the tenders being significantly above the established budget is due to a requirement for a specialist anti-vandal roofing system alongside increased costs of materials and construction costs.

"An uplift in the budget of £250,000 is required.

"A total budget of £380,000 for the refurbishment of the Sunnyhurst Centre scheme is currently established.

"This budget was split based on £180,000 for local authority works and £200,000 devolved to The Champion Trust for refurbishment.

"The relocation of Crosshill School has allowed for increased special school capacity and released accommodation for 100 additional mainstream places at Blackburn Central High School.

"The local authority works resulted in a budget underspend of £50,000.

"The works exposed additional asbestos works at a cost of £46,000 that needed to be completed as part of the work by The Champion Trust.

"It is proposed the existing budget allocation of £380,000 is realigned so that £46,000 is devolved to The Champion Trust."