New special school officially opens in county

Ex-Paralympian Tim Reddish CBE opened the school on Thursday (front-middle)

A new special school that will provide support to dozens of pupils has opened in Leicestershire.

Bowman Academy in Shepshed officially opened on Thursday, on the site of the former St Botolph's Primary School in the town.

Leicestershire County Council said the school would have space for up to 65 pupils, aged five to 16, who have social, emotional and mental health needs.

Work on the project started in August 2023 and was completed last month.

Bowman Academy - built on behalf of the Department for Education - was part of a roll-out of special schools across the country.

Kyle and Joey, both aged 11, are among the Bowman Academy's first pupils

In March, the government announced 33 special free schools would be built in England, with 49 already planned.

This was in addition to the 93 special free schools that have already opened across the country, and 50 more that are in the pipeline, the council said.

The new school features an immersive sensory room and a "quiet, calming room", as well as a multi-use games area.

A former Paralympic swimmer, Tim Reddish CBE, opened the school on Thursday and called it a "positive environment for pupils".

During the opening event, a time capsule containing pupils’ drawings, photos, a dated newspaper and other items was buried within the school's grounds.

The school will be run by the Community Inclusive Trust.

Deborah Taylor, the county council's cabinet member for children and families, said the school would provide "much-needed" specialist places for children.

The pupils and staff buried a time capsule during the opening event

"We are so pleased to see Bowman Academy open and welcoming pupils," she said.

She added: "The school provides much-needed specialist places here in Leicestershire and is part of our work to ensure specialist provision is available to our children and young people, as close to their homes as possible.

"Being the first pupils to attend a new school really is a special thing; I hope everyone who attends enjoys their time learning, developing and making new friends."