A new special school will be built in Dorset so more children can be educated closer to their homes.
The Government gave the go-ahead yesterday (19th) after Dorset Council successfully bid for funding for the new special free school.
The school will provide much needed places for Dorset children who would otherwise have to travel out of the county for specialist provision.
It is expected that the new school will welcome up to 75 young people aged 14-19 with autism and complex learning difficulties.
Councillor Andrew Parry told KeeP 106: “This is brilliant news. I am proud that after several years of hard work we have managed to secure funding for this new school.
“We want to provide more specialist education provision in Dorset, so our children do not have to travel as far.
“This new school will mean that we can provide excellence in education for more of our young people closer to their homes, their families and their local community. It will improve our children’s lives and help them achieve brilliant futures.”
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson confirmed yesterday that plans for 37 new schools across the country have been given the go-ahead by the Department for Education.
Local authorities were invited to bid for funds and Dorset Council was one of six successful councils in the south west region.
Richard Drax, MP for South Dorset, said: “This is good news for Dorset. I am pleased that more children will be able to attend school closer to their homes. It is very welcome news.”
Dorset Council will work closely with the Department for Education to bring forward plans for the new school. It has not yet been decided when the school will open, where it will be built or which academy trust will run it.
Families who could benefit will be asked for their views on the plans. Work to find out which children could attend the new provision has already begun.
Picture: Cllr Andrew Parry
