A new SEND school was built on the site of the former Rober Bruce School in Kempton, and the Department of Education approved funding.
Schools and the services offered to children in SEND have long been awaited and at one point appeared to be stalled following a lack of funding for the provision of special education needs in the borough.
READ: Additional £1.3m funding ‘will not cover all holes’ in provision of special education needs
The campaign for the schools has been led by Principal James Valentine (Labor, Kempton West), Portfolio Holder of Education and Child Services for Bedford Borough Council.
“We are delighted to support the Borough Council to begin work on this new special school that will provide much-needed support to children and families in our community,” said Cllr Valentine. says.
“Our achievement of this stage is a testament to the hard work and dedication of all involved, and we are confident that our new school will make a real difference in the lives of our students.”
The school serves children and young people throughout the Borough of Bedford, 2 to 19 years old with special needs, including those with disabilities, those on the autism spectrum and those experiencing learning difficulties. provide a vital education to a wide range of children.
It also means that some children, who currently have to leave the area for professional education, will be able to receive education locally.
Work on the school, designed with input from teachers, parents and caregivers, is expected to begin later this month, potentially opening the doors in time for the start of the 2024/2025 school year. .
READ: New Kempton SEND School Planned for Old Robert Bruce Middle School
Building the school on the site of the former Robert Bruce Middle School also helps revitalize land that has been subjected to vandalism and numerous arson attacks in the past few years.
READ: Massive fire at former Robert Bruce Middle School
The news has been well received by all parties in Bedford Borough Council.
Councilor Jane Walker (Conservative, Clapham) commented: .
“We welcome investments from the central government that will not only help us address our school space needs, but will also allow us to provide a state-of-the-art 200-seat special school within our own borough. There is also something to do.
“It is important to help all children succeed from the early days of school, through college, to college and to the workplace.”
Bedford Borough Council said they are still waiting for full official confirmation of the funding and will comment fully once all the details are available.
