A NEW school for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) will be built in Westbury, with plans to open in August 2026.
While the exact location has not yet been confirmed, Wiltshire Council says it will be located at Bitham Park subject to completion of feasibility studies and planning permission. The education provider will be Brunel Academies Trust which runs successful schools in Wiltshire and Swindon.
The new school for 130 pupils will provide specialist provision for pupils aged four to 19 years with social, emotional and mental health needs.
Wiltshire Council successfully bid to the Department for Education to build a new school in the Westbury area to help meet the need for more special school places in west Wiltshire.
Cllr Jane Davies, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for SEND said, “This is welcome news and ensures our long-term ambition to create sufficient special school places across Wiltshire takes an important step forward. We are committed to ensuring we have sufficient spaces, with opportunities for all children and young people with SEND to ensure they have schooling that provides them with the very best opportunities to learn.”
Cllr Laura Mayes, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for children’s services said, “I am delighted we’ve appointed an education provider with a proven track record and that can ensure a good quality of learning for our children and young people. Our business plan has a clear commitment to finding the right specialist support for children with special educational needs. This latest development is helping us fulfil this important pledge and securing long term provision in Wiltshire.”
Jackie Fieldwick MBE, CEO of Brunel Academies Trust added, “This is certainly an exciting opportunity for Wiltshire and Brunel. We are committed to putting children and families first and we look forward to firmly establishing ourselves as exceptional providers within Wiltshire. We already have a proven track record within Swindon, and with our newly-appointed director of Wiltshire SEND, we are confident of delivering quality provisions.”
