New school for children with learning difficulties in Stroud proposed

The proposed new school would offer 60 places for children aged 4-11 years with MALD for the academic year 2023/2024 in the school building formerly occupied by Severn View Primary Academy.

The county council is asking parents and carers, head teachers, and local residents, especially those who live close to the proposed location for the new school to share their views on the proposal.

There is an increasing demand in Gloucestershire for special school places which means these children sometimes have to go to schools out of the county or to independent schools when there aren’t places available locally.

The council wants to expand provision to make sure more children have the opportunity to go to school close to where they live and that specialist places are available where there is the most demand.

It has already increased the capacity of other special schools in the county and a new £9.5m special school for children and young people aged 11 – 16 years, Brook Academy, is opening in Brockworth, in September 2022. However, analysis shows that more special school places will be required in the coming years.

Cllr Philip Robinson, cabinet member for economy, education and skills at Gloucestershire County Council said: “We know there is strong support for increasing the number of special school places in the county, but we want to give everyone the opportunity to tell us what they think about the proposals.”

“We’re committed to making sure all children get a high quality education, which is why the council is investing over £100 million into our county’s schools.”