Delay in opening new Harrogate school for autistic children

Woodfield School closed in 2022 after years of falling pupil numbers and an "inadequate" Ofsted rating

A new school in Harrogate for children with autism will now not open until 2025, a council has said.

North Yorkshire Council approved plans for the site of the former Woodfield Community Primary School in Bilton last year.

It was hoped the new school would be ready for September 2024, with £3.5m invested in the refit.

A council spokesperson said the September opening date would now no longer be possible, but gave no reason.

Once open, up to 80 pupils aged 11-19 would be able to attend the school, the council said.

Since 2016, the the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said, the number of children in North Yorkshire with identified special educational needs and disability, and a legally-binding education, health and care plan has increased by more than 110%.

This has led to a shortage of special school places and some children having to be taught by independent providers, with day sector placements typically costing up to £70,000 annually and a special school placement averaging £23,000, the LDRS said.

The council's assistant director for education, Amanda Newbold, said the authority was "committed to securing more special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision in North Yorkshire" and more special educational needs (SEN) provision would be secured in Harrogate.