THE next step has been taken towards the development of a new special school in the county.

Herefordshire Council and the Department for Education have invited interested groups to submit proposals for developing a school which will provide places for 50 young people aged 16 to 19 years old with severe and complex learning disabilities, including autism.

The proposal is to locate the school – which is hoped will be a centre of excellence for young people with special educational needs (SEN) – next to Hereford Sixth Form College.

Councillor Jonathan Lester, Herefordshire Council cabinet member for young people and children’s wellbeing, said: “We’re pleased to be working in partnership with the Department for Education to provide a new special free school for the county’s 16 to 19 year olds with severe and complex learning disabilities. It will be a free school, in line with the government’s proposal that all new schools are not council maintained.

“Young people with special educational needs and disabilities often face a range of challenges leaving school and moving into adulthood.

"We’re looking to build on the county’s existing high quality post -16 opportunities and develop a broad range of special education provision to meet the needs of SEN children and young people, so regardless of individual needs, everyone will have the opportunity to make good progress and achieve."

The school will, the council states, provide high quality teaching and learning; offer high quality information, advice and guidance; provide a community facility outside of school hours; enable internships and work experience; support students in other educational facilities, including mainstream schools, colleges and training providers and provide a resource hub for staff working with SEN children and their families.

Cllr Lester added: "I hope interested groups will take advantage of this opportunity to provide a new SEN school in the county and whilst there’s specific criteria laid down by the Department for Education, I’m confident local providers will be able to meet the requirements.”

The deadline for all applications is 12pm (midday) on Friday, November 24 2017.

To find out more, including the application criteria, visit herefordshire.gov.uk/senschool.