A planning application has been submitted to convert part of the Grade II listed Hillsborough Barracks in Sheffield into a new school for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The gatehouse building, once an officers' mess and regimental institute dating from the mid-19th century, would become home to Kingfisher Academy, which supports secondary-aged pupils unable to attend mainstream school due to significant medical needs such as anxiety and mental health conditions. The scheme responds to rising demand for SEND places in the city and would also secure the long-term future of a historically significant building.

The academy would initially take around 40 pupils, with capacity to grow to a maximum of 60, and would focus on English, maths and science alongside subjects such as humanities and food technology. Staffing would comprise four teachers, three support staff and one administrator, with pupils attending from 09:00 to 15:00. The building would not require extensive outdoor space, as activities would use local sports halls, parks and community facilities, and any internal alterations would be made sensitively to preserve architectural features. Sheffield City Council forecast in 2024 that an extra 300 SEND places would be needed over five years, and planning officers are now considering the application.