New SEND School Put On Hold

A planned new school for autistic children in Crowthorne, Berkshire, called Forest Hill, has been put on hold by the Department for Education (DfE), according to Bracknell Forest Council. Initially set to open in late 2026 and later rescheduled for March 2027, the project is now frozen as the government reviews SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) provision across boroughs. The delay is linked to the DfE’s wider reform of the national SEND system, which it says will take time. In return for £16 million in government funding to create specialist educational provisions, the council is working to cut its significant SEND overspend.

The Propeller Trust had been chosen to run the school, intended to serve about 100 autistic pupils. Meanwhile, the council is considering alternative plans in case the school doesn't proceed.

The DfE stated the SEND system has long been inadequate and is being restructured to better meet children’s needs, backed by £1 billion in funding and £740 million to support more specialist placements in mainstream schools.