More details on a brand-new special school in Gloucester are set to be revealed on May 21 when prospective parents and local residents are given a heads-up on progress and designs for the much-needed new facility.

Earmarked for land off Wheatridge East in Abbeydale which is already owned by Gloucestershire County Council, the £16.5m school intends to provide education for 200 moderate and additional learning difficulty (MALD) pupils and students from the age of 4 to 16.

Plans as yet are at infrastucture stage with Shire Hall but if a bid for permission with detailed plans is approved in time, the target for completion is September 2026.

While preliminary groundwork checks are carried out, a "community engagement drop in event" is now planned for May 21 at Christchurch Church (3.00pm to 6.30pm) and is intended as a drop in event.

A spokesman said: This event is for anyone and will be of interest to people who live locally as it is an important opportunity to view the detailed proposed designs for the new special school and to learn more about what the building and site layout will look like."

Representatives from EG Carter and Co Ltd and Robotham Architects will be present to answer any questions, along with officers from the county council.

The project was launched in July 2023 after the council's cabinet approved the £16.5m scheme for an 'all-through' school for up to 200 primary and secondary pupils.

Shire Hall said: "There continues to be an increasing need for special school places in the county, with the highest number of places needed in Gloucester and Cheltenham. The shortage of places locally means some children currently travel to schools out of county or to independent schools to have their educational needs met. This new school would be centrally located and within reasonable travelling distance of other parts of the county."

In February this year, the Reach South Academy Trust was appointed to run the future school.

https://www.punchline-gloucester.com/searchresult/reach-south-academy-trust-confirmed-for-new-gloucester-special-school

In a subsequent meeting with interested parties, the academy trust, which supports children and young people with complex special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) across the South West, explained its educational approach and its vision for the new facility. It recently opened Sladewood Academy in Stroud for children aged 4 to 11 and Brook Academy in Brockworth for secondary pupils aged 11 to 16.

In the meanwhile, site survey work is due to commence next Monday (May 13) and last for three or four days. Trenches dug for the work will be filled in when the work finishes, towards the end of the week.