Plans are progressing to create a new school in Calderdale, supporting children and young people with specialist educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Calderdale Council has been working to expand and increase the number of specialist placements within the borough.
A significant part of this work involves the creation of a new Specialist Free School at the site of the former Threeways Community Centre in Ovenden. The school will create 200 places for children aged 4-16 with Education, Health and Care Plans, primarily supporting those with autism, speech, language and communication needs, and social emotional and mental health needs
The Council is funding the building of the school and is now inviting proposals from Multi-Academy Trusts to establish and run the new school, with the aim of opening in September 2028.
The new school will enable more children to attend a local, state-funded specialist school that meets their individual needs, reducing the disruption to children and families, some of whom face long journeys to independent provision outside of Calderdale.
The initiative is a central ambition of the Calderdale SEND and Alternative Provision Strategy 2025-30, which sets out a shared vision and partnership ambitions for children and young people with SEND and their families.
