Academy trust confirmed for new special school
The new 200-place special school will support primary and secondary aged children from across the county with moderate and additional learning difficulties (MALD). It will open in Gloucester in 2026, subject to planning approval.
Reach South Academy Trust has extensive experience in supporting children and young people with complex special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) across the South West. This will be the second special school they will run in Gloucestershire, after taking over Peak Academy in August 2022.
Gloucestershire County Council has increased the number of special school places throughout the county to meet growing demand; recently opening Sladewood Academy in Stroud for children aged 4 to 11 and Brook Academy in Brockworth for secondary pupils aged 11 to 16.
Cllr Philip Robinson, cabinet member responsible for education at Gloucestershire County Council, said, “Our priority is to make sure all children in Gloucestershire can access the education that best meets their needs. That’s why we’re investing over £30 million into increasing the number of specialist school places throughout the county.
“We’re delighted that Reach South Academy Trust will be running the new special school, and we’re confident that they will help us achieve the best possible outcomes for these children and young people.”
Dean Ashton, CEO of Reach South Academy Trust, said, “We are delighted to be selected as the trust to run this exciting new special school in Gloucestershire. We are committed to being a high quality, inclusive trust. Our schools cover the whole range of provision for children and young people, and we are committed to providing the very best for children and young people with special educational needs.
“We believe in strong partnerships and work collectively with the full range of partners and very much look forward to working with Gloucestershire County Council, schools, parents, and local community organisations to achieve the very best.”
Local county councillor Andrew Gravells also expressed his support for Reach South Academy Trust and was part of the interview panel which recommended the trust to the Secretary of State.
Representatives from Reach South Academy Trust will be at ‘Meet the Trust’ events on Thursday 22 February at 11.00am and 4.30pm. The events will run for an hour at Christchurch Church, Heron Way, Abbeydale, Gloucester GL4 5EQ.
The trust will give a short presentation about how they work, their vision for the school, and will share information about the other schools they manage. It will be an opportunity to meet some of the key people involved in setting up and running the new school, and to ask any questions about how the school will be run.
The events will be of most interest to parent/carers of children with special educational needs and disabilities who are considering requesting a place at the school but will be open to everyone.
There will be another community event later in the spring that will focus on the design and construction of the building before the planning application is submitted. At this later event, members of the design and project team will be available to answer questions about the project, and detailed plans for the school will be available for people to review and comment on before a planning application is submitted later this year.
Visit www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/new-special-school-gloucester for more information and frequently asked questions.
To find out more about Reach South Academy Trust, visit www.reachsouth.org