July 22, 2020, Leicester Mercury: New Shepshed special school will cater for 50 children https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/local-news/new-shepshed-special-school-cater-4353795 (Central England) A primary school in Shepshed is to be converted into a special needs school for 50 children from all over Leicestershire…. On Sunday the Department for Education confirmed the new school, which will be called Bowman Academy, could go ahead and be run by the Community Inclusive Trust, which already has permission to open a new special needs school in Blaby later this year. The trust’s chief executive officer Peter Bell said: “We are delighted the DfE have announced our successful Free School bid. “The school is due to open in Shepshed in September 2023 and will cater for 50 children with social emotional and mental health needs from across Leicestershire. “This new school will work in close partnership with other Leicestershire schools and Leicestershire County Council, as well as its sister CIT school, Foxfields Academy in Blaby, which is due to open to pupils this autumn.” Bowman Academy is one of a number of new special schools – as well as new classes in mainstream schools - being created by Leicestershire County Council. The council is investing up to £30 million [$38M U.S.] to develop new provisions for children and young people with special educational needs in the county.
