A new SEND school on the site of the former Rober Bruce school in Kempston will be built after funding was approved by the Department of Education.
The school, and the services it will provide for SEND children, have been long awaited and at one point did not seem to be going ahead after a funding shortfall for the Borough’s special educational needs provision.
Read: Additional £1.3m funding “doesn’t cover all the holes” in special education needs provision
Campaigning for the school has been led by Cllr James Valentine (Labour, Kempston West), Portfolio Holder for Education and Children’s Services at Bedford Borough Council.
“We are thrilled to support the Borough Council in starting work on this new Special School, which will provide much-needed support for children and families in our community,” said Cllr Valentine.
“It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved that we have been able to reach this stage, and I am confident that the new school will make a real difference to the lives of its students.”
The school will serve children and young people throughout Bedford Borough, providing vital education for a wide range of children aged 2-19 with special needs, including those with disabilities, on the autistic spectrum, and experiencing learning difficulties.
It will also mean that some children who currently have to travel outside the area for specialist education will now be able to receive education locally.
Work on the school, designed with input from teachers, parents, and carers is expected to start as soon as the end of this month and doors could open in time for the start of the 2024/2025 academic year.
Read: New Kempston SEND school planned at former Robert Bruce Middle School
Buidling the school on the site of the former Robert Bruce Middle School, will also help rejuvenate land that has been subjected to vandalism and a number of arson attacks over the last few years.
Read: Large fire breaks out at former Robert Bruce Middle School
The news has been received positively from all political parties across Bedford Borough Council.
Councillor Jane Walker (Conservative, Clapham) commented, “It is important that we invest in our educational provision within Bedford Borough so that all children can reach their potential – for too long the Borough has been in desperate need of more school places for SEND children.
“We welcome the investment from Central Government which will not only help us address the need for school spaces but will ensure we can provide a state-of-the-art 200-place special school within our own borough.
“It is important that we help all our children succeed right from their early years at school all the way up through college and into either university or work.”
Bedford Borough Council say they’re still awaiting full official confirmation of the funding and will comment fully when all details are available.
