Uncertainty over opening date for specialist school

Education chiefs have been unable to confirm when a new secondary school for children with autism will open in North Yorkshire.

Officers at North Yorkshire Council said a date for the facility, on the site of the former Woodfield Community Primary School in Harrogate, could not be announced until an academy trust was assigned to run it.

The school, in Bilton, was initially due to open in September 2024, however the project was delayed.

Education leaders were then hopeful the first pupils could start in September 2025, but parents have expressed concern this target could now also be missed.

One mother, who asked not to be named, said her 11-year-old son may have to be educated at home if it failed to open for the upcoming academic year.

"It's ridiculous that it looks like it won't be open after all this time," she said.

"There are so many parents and children in need of this school opening as soon as possible.

"There are no other schools like it in Harrogate and my son is unable to travel to Leeds, Thirsk or York to go to another school that is similar due to his sensory needs and travel fatigue."

The school is due to cater for 80 autistic pupils aged between 11 and 19.

The council said the school would help to address a rising demand for specialist education in North Yorkshire.

Amanda Fielding, the authority's assistant director for inclusion, said: "We have progressed the building works as planned and are working with the Department for Education regarding which academy trust will be assigned.

"Until this process is concluded, we are not in a position to announce an opening date."

Woodfield Community Primary School closed in 2022 after years of falling pupil numbers and an "inadequate" rating by Ofsted.

Councillors agreed a £3.5m redevelopment to turn the site into a specialist school the following year.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service contacted the Department for Education for comment.

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