top of page
Search

(UK) Merton: Special school eventually for 80 students okayed; 'exciting time'

Dec 3, 2024, Merton.gov: Department for Education approves new SEND provision in Merton 

London borough


Orchard Hill College Academy Trust and Merton Council are delighted to announce that they have been given the go ahead by the Department for Education (DfE) to open a new provision for children with special education needs in the borough from September 2025.


The DfE has granted permission for Bedelsford School to open a temporary satellite site in Morden to provide an additional 40 places in the first instance. Bedelsford School is an outstanding special school in the neighbouring borough of Kingston upon Thames.


The school has been given approval to open a satellite site on a temporary basis in The Chaucer Centre, a former school building located in the St Helier neighbourhood. The Centre is currently used by the Council as a training centre but will be adapted to meet the need for specialist education places in the borough. In the first year the centre will be able to provide 40 places and will have the potential to increase up to 80 children over a three-year period.


Pupils and staff will transfer from this temporary site to a brand-new Free School which is scheduled to open in the borough in September 2027. This school will be operated by Orchard Hill College Academy Trust (OHCAT), a specialist multi-academy Trust and home to 14 schools including Bedelsford School. When the new Free School opens it will provide up to 120 places for pupils with an age range of 4-16 and will be co-educational.


Both the temporary provision and the new Free School will provide places for children who have a range of moderate to severe learning difficulties and complex needs. This is likely to include Speech Language and Communication Needs and may also include Autism Spectrum Conditions and other associated areas of need. . . .


Both the satellite site and the new special free school represents a significant investment in the future of our children with SEND, ensuring they have access to high quality education tailored to their individual needs.” . . .


OHCAT CEO, John Prior said:


“This is an exciting time for OHCAT as we work with our colleagues in Merton to expand our established SEND expertise to reach more children and young people.” . . .




 
 
 

Comments


bottom of page