July 24, 2020, Teesside Live: New free school for 100 pupils and 50 staff to be built on Teesside https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/new-free-school-100-pupils-18657937 (NE England) A new special needs school for 100 children from across our area is set to be built in Redcar and Cleveland. The River Tees Multi-Academy Trust today announced it will set up the school in partnership with Darlington, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland and Stockton councils. It will serve 100 young people with special needs, aged five to 18, and is due to open in 2022…. The free school, employing more than 50 staff, will join 36 across the country offering alternative provision for children with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs and those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)…. Trust chief executive officer Christina Jones said: “We are very excited to be able to open a new free special school for the Tees Valley…. Pat Cambage, chair of the trust’s board, said: “I have seen the fantastic difference staff make to the lives of children and young people. I am very proud that the trust is able to bring this dedication to the new Tees Valley free special school.” Unity Howard, director of New Schools Network, said: “I am delighted a special free school for the Tees Valley has been approved to open, joining 36 other special and alternative provision free schools that were approved today…. “On behalf of the entire team at New Schools Network, I pay tribute to River Tees Multi-Academy Trust for their tireless work throughout the application phase. We look forward to supporting this cohort of 37 free schools as they prepare to open.” River Tees Multi-Academy Trust has four academies across the North-east, offering school places to learners who have been excluded from school or who need a different environment because of their medical needs, additional support needs or to complete in-depth assessment to find which would be the best setting for them.
