School Projects
Section 10 Consultation – New Special School off The Wheatridge East, Abbeydale, Gloucester
Reach South Academy Trust (RSAT) is pleased to confirm that it has been approved by Gloucestershire County Council and the Department for Education (DfE) as the sponsor for a brand-new special school. The school is planned to open in January 2027, for children aged 4-16 years with Moderate and Additional Learning Needs designation.
The new school will accommodate up to 200 children and young people and will be based off The Wheatridge East, Abbeydale in Gloucester. It is being built by EG Carter & Co Ltd who are due to commence construction in June to deliver this much needed provision in Gloucestershire. Places will be allocated by Gloucestershire County Council.
Academies are state-funded schools. They are independent from Local Authorities but are accountable to the Government, which provides free education in the community. Funding to run the academy is on the same basis as other schools and comes directly from the Government. For a new academy to open, Reach South Academy Trust must enter into a Funding Agreement with the Secretary of State for Education. As part of this process, we must hold a consultation under Section 10 of the Academies Act 2010.
We are therefore consulting with parents/carers, pupils, staff and governors from local schools, local residents, local councillors, neighbouring LAs and other stakeholders in Gloucestershire. As part of the consultation exercise, it will provide an opportunity to learn more about the school, Reach South and share your views. This aims to ensure that the proposed new special school will meet the needs and preferences of the local community.
The consultation begins on Monday 9 June 2025 and concludes on Friday 25 July 2025.
There will be two meetings at Christchurch Church, Heron Way, Abbeydale, Gloucester, GL4 5EQ to be held on:-
• Monday 30 June: 18:00 – 19:30
• Monday 7 July: 13:00 – 14:30
If you can come along to one of the above meetings, please let us know by submitting the form available here.
Alternatively, if you are unable to attend the meetings but would like to share your feedback, you can email the Trust [email protected] and/or fill in our online questionnaire by clicking this link by the deadline as set out above.
The outcome of the consultation will be published on this website after the consultation period has closed.
We are very excited about the opening of this new special school, and thank you in advance for your support and participation during this important consultation.
