Bracknell Forest Council faces key choice on autism school provision

Bracknell Forest borough council has said it is considering how best to support the education, learning and wellbeing of local children and young people with autism, following a letter by the Government last week on specialist school provision.

The council has had plans for a new autism school in Buckler’s Park (Forest View School) for several years but has recently struggled to get clarity on if Department for Education (DfE) funding is still available for it.

A letter received in mid-December sets out two funding options for the council to choose from. The council can choose either:

for the DfE to fully fund and deliver Forest View School.
to receive a £5.4 million lump sum from the DfE over the next 3 years to create SEND school places elsewhere.

The council is currently considering which option would best meet the needs of its children and young people. It has until 27 February 2026 to consider both options and respond to the DfE.

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Providing a dedicated school in Bracknell Forest for children and young people with autism has been part of the council’s special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) strategy for some time. However, the letter from the government does not indicate when the school could be built.

The funding option could be taken to remodel or extend some existing specialist resource provisions within schools. This work would be controlled by the council, including timescales. It would provide the same number of school places as Forest View School but not in one dedicated school building.

The £5.4 million would not cover the full cost of building the new Forest View School. This means the council could not take the funding and project manage the building and development of the school independently.

Grainne Siggins, executive director for people, said: “Following a letter by the government earlier this month, we have two options to consider as to how we provide the best possible learning and education for our children and young people with SEND.

“We must make sure their needs are at the core of our decision making.

“We have already increased the number of places available through specialist resource provision in our mainstream schools and new social, emotional and mental health school.

“However, it is clear from our local data on SEND requirements that there is still a need for a special autism school. Currently many children who need a special school are having to travel out of the borough to receive their education in special or independent schools.

“We will be developing the business case for both options, engaging with our local partners, parent carer representatives and provider trust to shape our decision.”

Cllr Roy Bailey, cabinet member for children and young people, said: “SEND is a priority for us, and this means we must explore all options thoroughly to make sure our young people and children with SEND get the best possible education and start in life.

“We’re grateful for the clarity from the DfE that funding for a new autism school is an option. We’ve previously worked as hard and fast as we can to do the groundwork for the project but couldn’t take it any further. Although I remain personally convinced of the need for a new autism school, we must now look carefully at which option is best for our local children and borough.