New special school to be built in Northallerton
It will have space for around 120 pupils aged 8 - 16
Last updated 2nd Mar 2023
It's been confirmed North Yorkshire's new special school will be built in Northallerton.
The county council currently has 10 special schools across the county serving young people with significant levels of need, plus targeted mainstream provision attached to 10 mainstream schools. However, it is estimated an additional 350 specialist places will be needed in North Yorkshire in the next five years. The Council say the issue is particularly pressing in Hambleton and Richmondshire, where there are currently no specialist schools able to offer this form of education.
The next stage of the process will see the council work alongside the Department for Education in seeking proposals from organisations interested in establishing and running the new school.
The county council’s executive member for education and skills, Cllr Annabel Wilkinson, said: “This is exciting news for North Yorkshire, especially communities in the Hambleton and Richmondshire areas. This new free school will provide families and young people with a much-needed facility on their doorstep.
“Currently pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs in the area have to travel significant distances to access appropriate provision, placing stress on them and their families.
“We aim to open the school as soon as possible subject to the requirements of the process established by the DfE under which we will, in due course, seek proposals from organisations interested in establishing and running the new school.”