Malvern special school for autistic children delayed until 2029
Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 18:02 · Archive
A 120-place special school for autistic children in Malvern will not open until September 2029, pushed back two years from the planned 2027 date.
The Enterprise Academy at Poolbrook had been expected to open in September 2027 but will now not do so until at least September 2029, according to the Department for Education. The 120-place state-funded school will be run by MacIntyre Academies Trust and will provide places for autistic children and young people aged five to 19.
Worcestershire County Council had reaffirmed its commitment to the project in February this year, rejecting an alternative £5.7 million Government offer to abandon the scheme. Plans for the academy were agreed under the previous Conservative Government in March 2024.
Dan Boatright-Greene, the council's cabinet member for education, said the delay risked adding to financial pressures on the county. He stated: 'You cannot educate a child with ministerial reassurance. You need classrooms, teachers and schools that are actually open.' He added that the council had put 'considerable time, resources and effort' into the project and made clear how desperately it was needed. The delay comes amid pressure on specialist school places in Worcestershire.
How it is being reported
- Opening of Malvern special school pushed back until 2029A LONG-PROMISED special school for autistic children in Malvern will not open until at least 2029 after ministers pushed the project back by two years.Worcester News · 20 Oct, 16:44
- Opening of Malvern special school pushed back until 2029A LONG-PROMISED special school for autistic children in Malvern will not open until at least 2029 after ministers pushed the project back by two years.Malvern Gazette · 20 Oct, 16:44
In this story: Enterprise Academy · Worcestershire County Council · Department for Education · MacIntyre Academies Trust · Dan Boatright-Greene · Malvern · Poolbrook · Worcestershire
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