Plans have been submitted to convert Ipswich's former registry office into a school for up to 22 pupils with additional learning needs. 

The office moved from St Peter House in Grimwade Street in September 2022 and re-opened in Endeavour House, the following week. 

Since then St Peter House has not had a permanent resident, and now plans have been submitted by Planning Direct on behalf of Catch22 to convert the building into a school. 

The school will provide specialist education for children aged 5-11 years old whose needs cannot be met in their mainstream setting.

The school will focus on providing education to students who may struggle with anxiety, low self-esteem, or have learning difficulties such as ASD, Asperger’s, ADHD or attachment disorders.

Catch22, who will be running the school, is an Ofsted-regulated charity that focuses on working with local authorities to deliver public services such as employment, education and health. 

In the planning documents, the organisation said: "Catch22 believes every child at their school deserves the best people supporting them in a safe, stimulating and inclusive place to learn.

"Catch22’s purpose is to re-ignite their love of learning and help them become the very best version of themselves that they can be."

The proposed school will have 22 students and 18 members of staff. 

They have also made accommodations for travelling and propose the creation of a bike stand to be built for the students. 

Previously the building was the Ipswich registry office, which held information such as registrations of births and deaths, together with notices of marriages or civil partnerships and early bird ceremonies.

However, the registry was moved in 2022 to be more central to the town, and closer to the train station, because it was used by all of Suffolk. 

Ipswich Borough Council will make a decision on the plans in due course, with an estimated date of May 29.