Change your business address
If you're a full access user, you can update your business, registered, mailing and personal addresses within Online for Business and the Business banking app.
North East special education school secures finance for major expansion
Haskel School, dedicated specifically to children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in the North East, is set to expand after securing a £1 million finance package from Lloyds.
Read time: 2 mins Added: 21/01/26
Empowering education in the North East
Founded in 2012 by Rabbi Avrohom Sugarman MBE and his wife Sarah, the Gateshead-based Jewish school will use the finance package to purchase and begin first stage partial renovations on a neighbouring property.
The initial phase will create an additional classroom, three tutorial rooms, an occupational therapy space and a fully accessible changing area. Purpose-built facilities, including hoists and wheelchair access, will ensure the space meets the complex needs of pupils. This first stage will allow for up to six more places for children. Longer term, once the site is fully developed, the school expects to triple its capacity to accommodate up to 60 pupils and anticipates welcoming new pupils to the premises by January 2026.
A vision born from personal experience
Haskel School was originally established out of the founders’ own experience in trying to find appropriate education for their son. Today, it supports 22 pupils through a highly individualised curriculum, delivered by specialist teachers and supported by a multidisciplinary team of therapists and learning assistants.
This latest financing from Lloyds will enable Haskel School to support more children in a space that reflects the same level of care and customisation as its educational approach.
Excellence that inspires confidence
In 2024, the school was rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted and described as “a place which exudes calmness, joy, and positivity.”
Rabbi Avrohom Sugarman MBE Founder, Haskel SchoolThe name Haskel comes from the Hebrew word for ‘intelligence’ and serves as a reminder that every child has potential, and the right to learn in a way that works for them. As the demand for places has grown, so has our need for more space. Thanks to Lloyds, we’re now in a position to welcome more children into an environment designed to meet their needs. This is an important first step towards our longer-term ambitions, and it’s about more than bricks and mortar – it’s about creating opportunities for children to learn, grow and be truly understood.
William Harvey Relationship Manager, LloydsHaskel School is a brilliant example of what can be achieved when purpose meets passion. From the very beginning, it’s been a deeply personal mission for Rabbi Sugarman and his family, and the impact is clear. We’re proud to support the next phase of the school’s journey, helping to secure its future so it can continue to transform lives across the community.
You may also be interested in
All lending is subject to status. Eligibility criteria apply.