Work has begun to develop a new special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) school in Wokingham. 

Construction work on Oak Tree School in Winnersh is expected to be complete in time to open in September 2023. 

Executive member for children’s services at Wokingham Borough Council, Cllr Graham Howe, said: “Being able to provide such high-quality specialist education right here in the borough is a fantastic opportunity and something we are proud to be able to support. 

“The designs for the school are great and we’re sure it will transform lives when it opens next year.” 

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This follows a steady improvement in the council’s SEND support programme performance over the last few years, after a damning OFSTED report in 2019. 

A 2021 OFSTED report found that the council had made “sufficient” progress after the 2019 inspectors had highlighted “significant weaknesses” in the council’s SEND provision.   

The free school, which is being built and funded by the Department for Education (DfE) and managed by Maiden Erlegh Trust, will provide 150 places for children with autism (ASD) and social emotional and mental health (SEMH) difficulties from across Wokingham and Reading boroughs. 

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CEO (Designate) of Maiden Erlegh Trust, Jonathon Peck, said: "I am delighted to see that work has finally begun to construct Oak Tree School which will provide much needed specialist provision locally for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.  

“I would like to extend my sincere thanks to my colleagues who have worked tirelessly to bring this scheme forward. […] I look forward to seeing the build progress over the coming weeks and months."