(UK) Bracknell Forest: 'Much-needed' 100 place autism school approved
- Mar 27
- 1 min read
A new autism school has been given the green light after securing government funding.
Bracknell Forest Council confirmed that the Department for Education (DfE) will fully fund and build the 100-place specialist school—Forest View School—at Buckler’s Park, following a formal request from the council in February.
The decision is part of the council’s long-term special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) strategy and aims to address the need for autism-specific provision in the area.
Grainne Siggins, executive director for people at Bracknell Forest Council, said: "We’re delighted the DfE has accepted our request to fully fund and build a new autism school in Bracknell Forest.
"This will provide a much-needed and much-wanted 100-place specialist school in our borough.
"It will complement the specialist SEND provision we have in several of our mainstream schools. . . .
Victoria Stageman, co-chair of the Bracknell Parent Carer Forum, welcomed the announcement.
She said: "Bracknell Parent Carer Forum is very pleased that families’ voices have been heard and that the autism school at Buckler’s Park has been approved by the DfE.
"The data clearly shows a need for more specialist places, and this reflects what parent carers have consistently told us.
"We therefore welcome this as an important step forward, while continuing to highlight the need for further capacity, earlier intervention and meaningful investment in mainstream provision."
Comments