School’s back at historic Hessle site

A former school building in East Yorkshire is set to begin a new chapter after being acquired to support children with special educational needs.

Hymers Hessle Mount has been sold by the Hymers College Charitable Trust to SofiNo Education Group in a deal overseen by Hull-based commercial property firm Garness Jones.

The Grade II-listed Georgian-style property on Jenny Brough Lane became surplus to requirements after Hymers College relocated its early years and infant pupils to its main Hull campus last year.

Set within two acres, the site attracted strong interest after being marketed on a best bids basis, with the sale completed through property specialist JEM PROPERTY, which supports organisations in the care and SEND sectors.

Paul White, director of Garness Jones, said: “Our role was to find a suitable buyer and agree a sale which represented the best financial outcome for Hymers College Charitable Trust.

“I’m delighted we were able to achieve this in the deal we agreed with Jem Property for their client, SofiNo Education Group.

“We expected high levels of interest when going to market as it is a wonderful Grade II-listed building, in a great location, with potential for a wide range of alternative uses.

“There was interest from parties who wished to develop the land for private treaty luxury homes and private medical use, but these options would both have required change of use and full detailed planning, causing a delay in the transaction, and exposing our client to additional risk.

“The deal with Jem Property was clearly the best option, and, given its recent history of providing the first experience of school for many young children in this area, including myself.

“I was really pleased to be involved in seeing through a deal which will not only see the building given a new lease of life, but also retain a link to its history.”

Originally built as a private residence for Hull banker James Keiro Watson, the building was converted into an independent preparatory school in 1979 before becoming part of Hymers College and being renamed Hymers Hessle Mount in 2022.

The site includes classrooms, assembly spaces, offices, outdoor play areas and dedicated early years facilities, providing a ready-made base for its new educational role.

James Morgan, managing director of JEM PROPERTY, added: “We’re currently active across a number of developments in Hull, including another site where we've worked alongside Garness Jones.

“They’ve been genuinely supportive of our client's ambitions in the city.

“Every operator we work with is responding to real demand from local authorities, whether that's special educational needs provision or assisted living.

“These are facilities communities need.

“This property was a strong fit for our client.

“It had the right use class and met Government size requirements for special education provision.

“But what makes this one particularly pleasing is that a former school is being repurposed to meet a genuine educational need, rather than being lost to the community entirely.

“At a time when school closures are all too common, it's good to see a building like this given a new purpose.”

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