(UK) Knowsley: 30 more SPED places this fall, 80 more next year

Sept 3, 2025, Knowsley News: More SEND school places created in Knowsley

https://www.knowsleynews.co.uk/more-send-school-places-created-in-knowsley 

NW England

An ambitious plan to create more school places for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) in Knowsley is progressing well, with the official opening of three new buildings at Alt Bridge school.

In November 2024, Knowsley Council’s Cabinet approved a significant capital programme to create at least 130 additional special school places in the borough.  The first phase of this investment programme has now been completed, delivering six new modular classrooms offering space for new science labs and art rooms at the Huyton school. The new facilities mean Alt Bridge can offer an additional 30 places for local students from this academic year, with 80 more over time.

Alt Bridge is a maintained special school in Huyton, graded Good by Ofsted, for students aged 11-19 with Education, Health and Care Plans. Its aim is to create a positive learning environment which allows all learners to unlock their academic potential whilst also offering the support they need to develop personally and socially.

The new buildings at Alt Bridge were officially opened on Tuesday 2 September 2025, when the Mayor of Knowsley, Cllr Ken McGlashan cut the ribbon alongside members of Knowsley Council’s Cabinet, council staff, and school staff to mark the start of the new school term.

The funding has come from the Council’s High Needs Provision Capital Allocation from the Department for Education, and will support the long-term provision of placements for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), whilst also reducing the need for costly out of borough places.

Head teacher Natalie Menagh said: “The project has been expertly managed and overseen by Knowsley Council’s Asset Management team and we’re thankful to the Knowsley councillors who approved the expenditure for this investment. These new buildings open up even more fantastic opportunities for our learners, enabling us to provide more places on roll, too.

“The designers from Wright Space Ltd worked closely with leaders and staff at Alt Bridge to ensure the environments were carefully designed and suited to the needs of our students so that they may learn in bright, high quality learning spaces with additional areas to accommodate sensory provision.”

Cllr David Lonergan, Knowsley Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “Like most local authorities, we’ve seen demand for special school provision rising year on year, whilst funding remains a challenge. Placements can be particularly costly if we don’t have sufficient local capacity.”

“By investing wisely to secure a long-term increase in places here in Knowsley, we are making the most of our resources – and more importantly, ensuring that local families and young people with SEND can access high-quality places in their community, at a school with a strong reputation and a Good Ofsted rating.”

Knowsley Council is now working with Alt Bridge on the next phases of the expansion programme, which will create at least a further 80 places by September 2026 through the relocation of post-16 provision to Kirkby and remodelling of space at the main school site in Huyton.