(UK) Basildon: New SPED "hub" to relieve 'overloaded' schools; 'already creaking at the seams'

April 25, 2026, Basildon plans for new SEND school and community centre | Echo

Plans for a new special needs school and community hub in Basildon to relieve "overloaded" schools in the borough have been shared with parents and residents.

A new site between Wickford and Billericay has been backed by the council, and is set to include a special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) school, 4G football pitch and a centre housing wellbeing groups.

At an open event called Future Basildon last Thursday, developers said three plots have been earmarked and mental health organisation B Mindful will join Feelgood Fitness in a 'hub' as part of the development. . . .

Omnia Foundation will run the school, adding to their Rayleigh site, and director Steve Mitchell said Basildon is in need of more SEND facilities.

"Mainstream education is failing a lot of young people," he said. "Too many children leave the borough to get specialist provision, it's already creaking at the seams because it is overloaded." . . .

Basildon has the third-highest levels of mental health disorders among children aged between five and 16, according to head of B Mindful Leigh Willcock.

"For us, it's about getting to those children early," he said. "We can instil things like resilience, the growth mindset, and the understanding so they start the journey a little bit earlier."