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Updates on our new special schools
Published
With developments on two new, all-through 200-place special schools in our county now underway, read about the next steps en route to opening the new special schools in Cheltenham (for children with Complex Learning Difficulties - CLD, including autism and associated communication and interaction difficulties) and Gloucester (for children with moderate and additional learning difficulties - MALD) plus, information on a new engagement event.
Construction work starts on new special school in Gloucester
The warm and dry weather over the summer enabled the construction team to get off to a flying start since works commenced in mid-June. Kirsten Harrison visited the site on The Wheatridge East in Abbeydale at the end of July to formally mark the ‘groundbreaking’ and was joined by Cllr Linda Cohen, Cabinet member for Education and Skills, Cllr Andrew Gravells, Divisional Councillor for the area and Helen Bond, Director of the Gloucestershire Parent Forum.
The school, designed to offer 200 places for children and young people aged 4 – 16 years with Moderate and Additional Learning Difficulties (MALD), is set to open in January 2027 and admit its first pupils during that first term of opening.
Council officers continue to work closely with Reach South Academy Trust, the trust that will run the school, as we move into the pre-opening phase.
Further information about the project is available here: A new 200 place special school in Gloucester | Gloucestershire County Council
Update on new special school in Cheltenham
Having concluded the competition process that was launched in May, we have now sent our recommendation report to the Department for Education, setting out our preference as to which academy trust should be appointed to run the new special school set to open in Cheltenham, subject to the necessary approvals, in 2027/28.
Working with Gloucestershire Parent Carer Forum, we interviewed three strong academy trusts all with significant experience and a proven track record. We anticipate that the Department for Education will consider our recommendation towards the end of September.
Design work is still underway for 200-place special school for children and young people aged 4 – 16 with Complex Learning Difficulties (CLD) (on Arle Road in Cheltenham), with a planning application likely to be submitted in the Autumn.
Parent carers seeking a place at either new school for their child or young person should contact their named SEND Casework Officer in the EHCP Team. ring 01452 426922, or email sengenenq@gloucestershire.gov.uk 📧
Any other comments or enquiries can be raised by contacting Nathan Roe, Education Planning Manager, on 01452 427262 nathan.roe@gloucestershire.gov.uk
Further information about the project is available here: A new 200 place special school in Cheltenham | Gloucestershire County Council
For more information on the new provision in Gloucestershire, please see the records on Support for Families with SEND.
Join us to look at detailed designs for the new special school in Cheltenham
A drop-in engagement event will be held on Thursday, 2nd October where the detailed designs for the school can be viewed ahead of the submission for planning approval.
This event will be of interest to people who live close to the site of the new school in Cheltenham as well as parents and carers of children and young people with SEND. Council officers, along with members of the design team and representatives from the trust that will be running the school will be pleased to talk with you and answer any questions you may have.
Where: The St George’s Centre (The Altus School), Alstone Lane, Cheltenham, GL51 8HH (next to the Sea Cadet’s building).
When: Thursday, 2 October, 3.00pm – 6.00pm
Representatives from the Gloucestershire Parent Carer Forum will be at the drop-in engagement event, so please don’t worry if you cannot come along, Helen and her team will feedback to parent carers via Gloucestershire Parent Carer Forum communication networks. There will be opportunities to meet the trust next year.
For more events relevant to parent carers with SEND, please see the new events calendar on Support for Families with SEND
New site at Alstone Croft aerial view