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News from the SEND and Inclusion Local Area Partnership
Published
Here are some links to bulletins from across the Partnership. Covering some of the latest news links from Education. Health, Social Care and our partners in the voluntary and community sector. This month the sufficiency team provides an update on the planners approving the design for a new special school in Cheltenham
Education
- SEND reforms: Putting children and young people first
- New sixth form block takes shape at Henley Bank School | Gloucestershire County Council
- Cabinet set to approve ÂŁ3.6 million investment in new Best Start Strategy | Gloucestershire County Council
- Music service continues through new community partnerships | Gloucestershire County Council
- County Council team recognised in national SEND awards | Gloucestershire County Council
A new special school in Cheltenham
As many may have seen in the recent news coverage, planning approval to construct a new special school on land off Arle Road in Cheltenham, was given when Gloucestershire County Council’s planning committee met on 19 March.
This represents a significant milestone in the project to deliver a new 200-place special school for children and young people with Complex Learning Difficulties (CLD), aged 4-16 years.
It is intended that construction will commence as soon as further necessary preparatory work is completed so that the additional school places can be made available at the earliest opportunity. It is anticipated that the school will admit its first pupils in 2028.
Representatives from the Enable Trust who will run the new school, as well as from the Gloucestershire Parent Carer Forum, spoke at the planning committee to help underline the importance of the new school in supporting some of the most vulnerable learners in the county and the proposal was unanimously supported by members of the planning committee.
The proposal to establish this new special school has been widely supported by parents and carers of children and young people with SEND and the public engagement events that have been held have been well attended. Enable Trust will be undertaking further engagement and consultation with parents and other key stakeholders later in the year, which will include consultation over the name of the school.
This important project is in addition to the 200-place special school that is currently under construction in Abbey (Gloucester). That school, which will be named the Gloucestershire Academy for Inspirational Learning, is due to open next year.
More information about the proposed new school, please see the Frequently Asked Questions document.
Enquiries about the process for securing a place at these two new schools should be directed to the EHCP Team Casework Team on 01452 426922 or by emailing sengenenq@gloucestershire.gov.uk
Health
- Gloucestershire Hospitals Foundation Trust earns certificate from baby friendly
- Covid Spring 2026 Campaign > Glos Health & Care NHS Foundation Trust
Community partners
- For information on training, events and much more with the Gloucestershire Parent Carer Forum
- Activity information for children and young people with additional needs, aged 0-25 from 'You're Welcome'
For further updates, please visit Gloucestershire’s Local Offer, Support for Families with SEND.