Capacity at new Send school in Essex increases

The special school will be spread across two sites in south Essex, if opened

The capacity of a new school for children with special educational needs and disabilities (Send) has been increased to 250, an MP said.

Planning permission was secured for the school, which will be built across two campuses in Rawreth and South Woodham Ferrers, in September.

It was originally intended to cater for 190 pupils between the sites in Essex, but Rayleigh and Wickford MP Mark Francois said this had been expanded.

The Conservative hoped work to build the "world-class" centre would begin before Christmas, and it would open in spring 2027.

It will become the first of its kind to be built in the Rochford district, and its intake will prioritise children with the most serious learning difficulties.

Efforts to get the project off the ground began in 2023 but were slowed by concerns that the site in Rawreth was too small.

However, planning permission was approved by Essex County Council in September.

Four Send schools have been opened in Essex since 2020

Francois said some issues had persisted since, but planners managed to "cut through the red tape" during a meeting on Thursday.

"God willing, the diggers will now be on site before Christmas," he said.

"If we can do that - and we're going to bust a gut to try - it takes about a year to build the school."

Zenith Multi Academy Trust is due to take on the school, which will be part-funded by housing developers.

About 150 pupils will be based at the Rawreth campus, on the 500-home Wolsey Park development, with another 100 at Chetwood in South Woodham Ferrers.

Chetwood was previously going to take on 40 pupils.

'Much-needed support'

Francois said many of the existing Send schools in south Essex were over-subscribed.

"I've put my heart and soul into this for two-and-a-half years, and when that school opens – I hope in the spring of 2027 – I might allow myself a little half a bitter afterwards," he added.

A spokesman for Essex County Council said the school would bring "much-needed support" for Send children and their families.

"This is a major milestone, but with a lot of work to do ahead of construction starting on site," they said.

"All partners remain committed and we will continue working closely together."