New autism school in Worcestershire will keep pupils in county says education trust
The new facility in Malvern is expected to be open by September 2027
Last updated 15th Apr 2024
A new autism school set to be opened in Malvern will keep pupils from having to leave the county says the education trust who will run it.
MacIntyre Academies were recently selected by the Department for Education to be in charge of the facility, and will be supported by Worcestershire county council and Worcestershire Children’s First.
Director from MacIntyre Academies Kevin Rodger says this will help increase provision in the county and is fantastic news.
He said: "We're absolutely delighted to have been selected to run and open the Enterprise Academy and new school in Malvern.
"We've been working through the process with the council and the Department for Education for the last few months, and we are delighted to have been successful in being appointed."
At a meeting at the end of March, cabinet members formally approved the siting of the school on the site of the Sunshine Children’s Centre in Poolbrook.
It was pointed out that 83 children with autism are currently in out-of-county placements, and that Worcestershire has a higher number of children in special schools than the national average.
"The council and and Worcester Children first have identified that there's a growing trend of young people that require specific autism support in the area," Kevin said.
"That's why they have decided to create this new school to cater for that sort of specific future need, and to ensure that young people can be educated as close to their homes as possible.
"This new school will cater for about 120 pupils with autism spectrum conditions between the ages of five and 19, and will help people from having to leave the county to get that education."
The new school is expected to be open in September 2027.