New special needs school is set to open in 2025

A new school for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is set to open following a successful council bid from Bath and North East Somerset Council.

Following the success of the government backing a proposal to build a school for children with SEND, Bath and North East Somerset Council have been given the greenlight to develop a school to provide spaces for 120 children and young people. 

The school will cater for young people who have been diagnosed with autism, severe learning difficulties or with profound and multiple learning difficulties.

A new report from the University of Birmingham reveals the widespread discrimination, biases and lack of resources available for marginalised families with autistic children in the British health, care and education systems.

Experts found that autistic children face serious exclusion issues in general public schools. The researchers discovered 17% of the general school population received free schools meals compared to 28% of autistic children.

In addition to this, researchers involved in the study also highlighted a lack of diversity amongst school staff is also causing problems. According to data from the Department of Education, 64% of school pupils are White British, but 90% of teaching staff and 96% of headteachers are White British. For families, this can create a barrier when asking or accessing help for their children from schools.

Currently, there are three special schools in Bath and North East Somerset, two generic schools – Fosse Way in Radstock and Three Ways in Bath, and an Aspire Special School, which caters for young people with social, emotional and mental health difficulties.

Cllr Dine Romero, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said news the Department for Education had backed the bid was ‘very welcoming and exciting’.

Ms Romero added: ‘In Bath and North East Somerset we endeavour to work closely with our families and recognise the ned for an increase in provision for our young people with special educational needs.’ 

Ms Romero said she will continue to ‘support the work to see the completion of the project and the opening of this new special school.’

Photo by Taylor Flowe