(UK) Malvern: Council plans for 120 place special school
- The end of childhood
- 1 hour ago
- 2 min read
Jan 24, 2026, Birmingham Live: Education bosses set to refuse £5.7m [$7.8M] to ensure new SEND school goes ahead
The specialist autism school for south Worcestershire is expected to go ahead despite delayed opening until 2028 or 2029
Education bosses are set to reject a £5.7 million [$7.8M] offer to ensure a new SEND school in Malvern gets the green light.
The Department for Education, which is bankrolling the specialist autism free school, is scrapping numerous free school projects nationwide.
It has presented Worcestershire County Council with the monetary option to allocate towards expanding SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) provision in mainstream schools.
However, cabinet member for education Stephen Foster confirmed the council is determined to proceed with constructing the school.
During a children and families overview and scrutiny panel meeting on Monday (January 19), councillors heard the anticipated opening date for the new school would probably be delayed from September 2027 by one or possibly two years. . . .
"Many free schools have been cancelled across the country and regionally as well," he said.
"The situation with regards to the Malvern special school is we are in a position where we are good to go now. . . .
Cllr Foster stated: "It is highly unlikely, even with the delays, that we would want to take the £5.7m.
"The rationale is that would help increase SEND provision in mainstream schools, but we are already doing that.
"It is specialist SEND provision we need – and that's what this 120-place school in Malvern will give us.
"It has already been approved.
"We are all but certain to continue down that route." . . .
The Department for Education has been approached for a statement.
Comments