(UK) Notts: Special school to increase from 110 to 260 places for $34M; "surging demand"

July 1, 2025, BBC News: SEND school unveils major expansion plans 

A school in Nottinghamshire which caters for pupils with special needs has published plans to more than double in size.

Foxwood Academy, which currently has about 110 pupils, wants to expand its capacity by 150, using adjacent land where Bramcote Secondary School used to stand.

Head teacher James Hutchinson said the spaces were needed to cope with surging demand for SEND places.

The £25m [$34M] plan is out for consultation, with a formal application expected in October and a planned opening date of September 2027.

Foxwood currently has approximately 60 members of staff and caters for students from four to 18 years old.

The site of Bramcote Secondary School has been empty since its derelict buildings were demolished after a fire in 2021.

The site is also close to Bramcote Leisure Centre and Bramcote Hills Primary school.

Mr Hutchinson said: "There is a real need for spaces for children with additional needs in the county, we need to increase provision to meet that need.

"Currently we are spending around £35m [$48M] a year, roughly on local council maintained schools and another £35m [$48M] on independent provision, so that's a lot of money". . . .