The first 60 pupils crossed the threshold at a new SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) school in Kempston today (10 February), as Rivertree Free School opened its doors.
The new school, built on the site of the former Robert Bruce Middle School on Hillgrounds Road was due to open to students in January but was delayed due to essential safeguarding measures.
Read: Funding secured for 200-place Kempston SEND school
Parents welcomed the opening, with one saying: “I feel like my child now has a place where they can truly belong, the staff just get him.”
Rivertree Free School has been funded in conjunction with the Department for Education (DfE) and will be run by the Bedford Inclusive Learning & Training Trust (BILTT).
It will welcome its next 60 pupils in September 2025 and will reach maximum capacity in 2026 with 200 pupils.
The CEO of BILTT, Catherine Assinnk, said: “We are thrilled to welcome our first cohort of pupils today.
“This is a monumental moment not only for Rivertree but for the entire community. We believe that education is about more than just academic growth. It’s about nurturing each child’s potential, instilling confidence, and helping them to discover their passions.
“Seeing the faces of parents and their children as they entered the school was something truly special.”
She went on to explain that each of the classrooms at the new school is named after a river, reflecting the diverse and ever-flowing journey of learning.
“We wanted to convey the idea that learning, like rivers, is always moving, always evolving,” said Catherine.
“Rivers shape the land and nurture the ecosystems around them, and we see education in the same way. Our classrooms are spaces where children can be shaped, nurtured, and empowered to grow.
“We want them to be curious like a river, explore new ideas, and flow confidently toward their future.”
Emphasising individual growth, the school’s curriculum encourages pupils to be both explorers and creators of their own learning paths.
“We want to create a space where every child feels valued and supported,” said Rivertree head, Clare Breare.
“Our goal is to inspire pupils to dream big, discover new possibilities, and develop the skills they need to succeed in the world. We are excited to see how this vision comes to life as we move forward.”
