Trust chosen to run new special school

A trust has been appointed to run a new two-site school for children with special educational needs and disabilities in south Essex.

A new school for 150 children in Rayleigh will be the first of its kind in the Rochford district and 40 places will be created at a site in South Woodham Ferrers.

Essex County Council has appointed Zenith Multi Academy Trust to run the school, which is expected to open in 2026.

The Department for Education (DfE) has formally approved the council’s recommendation of the trust as the sponsor for the new school.

The council has also selected Kier Construction to design and build the school.

It will be housed on two sites, with 150 places created on the Wolsey Park development, off Rawreth Lane in Rayleigh, and an additional 40 on the former Chetwood School site in South Woodham Ferrers.

The school will cater for children aged between three and 19 years old and will be funded by a DfE grant and money paid by developers through section 106 agreements.

Tony Ball, the council's cabinet member for education, said: "Once complete, the school will offer almost 200 special school places for young people in south Essex from a state-of-the-art, purpose-built facility."

He said he was looking forward "to seeing this innovative project progress".