Locations for new special free schools announced

The Department for Education has announced the locations for 16 new special free schools in England.

From Bury to Surrey to Solihull, the schools will provide spaces for pupils whose needs cannot be met in mainstream education.

A competition for academy trusts to run the schools will be launched in the coming days. 

Meanwhile, Trusts have been selected to run seven special free schools already announced.

This announcement is part of the government’s plan to deliver 60,000 more special school places.

Special schools ensure pupils with special needs such as autism, emotional and behaviour disorders, severe learning difficulties and more can flourish thanks to specially trained teachers, programmes, and equipment.

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said: "I know how hard it can be for families trying to navigate the SEND system, and the creation of more brilliant special schools is just one part of our plan to make sure every family and every child get the right support, in the right place at the right time."

The locations for the 16 new special free schools are: Nottinghamshire; Lincolnshire; Newham; Enfield; Harrow; Bury; Westmorland and Furness; Hampshire; Surrey; Buckinghamshire; Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole; Herefordshire; Stoke on Trent; Walsall; Solihull; and East Riding of Yorkshire.

The trusts appointed to run the seven other special schools are:

Meridian Trust in Gamlingay, Cambridgeshire
Lime Trust in March, Cambridgeshire
Fortis Trust in Whitstable, Kent
Leigh Academies Trust in Swanley, Kent
Orchard Hill College Academy Trust, Merton
Eastern Learning Alliance in Downham Market, Norfolk
Unity Schools Partnership in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.