(UK) Bristol: Special school for over 150 students 'with most complex needs' approved
- The end of childhood
- 2 days ago
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Jan 4, 2026, Bristol Post: New SEND school offering over 150 places to open in Bristol
Funding has been secured for the 'state-of-the-art facility'
A new specialist free school is set to be built in Bristol, providing 164 spaces for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). . . .
Christine Townsend, chair of Bristol City Council's Children and Young People committee, welcomed the announcement as a major moment in addressing the SEND crisis in the city.
“Securing DfE funding for Trym Valley Academy is a huge step forward for Bristol," she said.
"It will transform the lives of many children and families, ensuring that those with the most complex needs have access to excellent education and support within. . .
Despite the positive announcement, there remains a significant shortfall in the amount of SEND places currently available in Bristol. The council has set itself a target of creating 569 new specialist places to meet a demand which has skyrocketed in recent years.
Along with the new school, the council has also recently announced the creation of 54 other new SEND places by refurbishing two schools: Henbury Court and St Anne's Infant School. . . .
Construction of the new school is being funded as part of the national government's £3 billion [$4B] SEND reform package, announced by the Department for Education earlier in December. The school was approved in March 2023 but funding for it was only secured earlier in December.
Labour MP for Bristol North West Darren Jones said he was thrilled that money for the new school was finally in the bag.
"Delighted we’ve secured funding for a new school in Bristol North West for children with additional needs," he wrote in a post on Facebook when Trym Valley was officially announced.
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