The special needs school north of Bristol is to close after seven decades

A special needs school north of Bristol is to close its doors to pupils at the end of this academic year. The Sheiling School in Thornbury is an independent SEND school in South Gloucestershire which has been open for seven decades.

The closure will affect the school’s 30 pupils who have a range of special educational needs and disabilities (SENDs), including autism, ADHD and social, emotional and mental health needs. It is also slated to lay off about 70 employees.

The last day of school for students will be Wednesday, July 24. A spokesman for South Gloucestershire Council confirmed: “We have received notification from Thornleigh Camphill Communities Ltd, the charity responsible for operating Sheiling School, of the decision to close the school at the end of the year. current academic year.

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“We are disappointed to receive this news as we know that children and young people enjoy being at school and parents value what is on offer,” the spokesman added.

Concerns about the school’s viability were raised earlier, leading to a consultation with staff. However, the final decision still awaits ratification by the Department for Education, the regulator for all independent schools, including those catering for SEND pupils.

The school’s recent Ofsted rating as ‘requires improvement’ in November 2023 further complicated its situation. Local authorities are now tasked with finding new jobs for the affected students,

This closure comes at a time when the need for SEND provision is increasing. According to a South Gloucestershire Council report from October 2017, 6,111 schoolchildren in the district have SEND, making up 3.2% of the school population – higher than the national average of 2.8%.

Two new SEND schools are set to open in the Thornbury area this year – Two Bridges Academy near Marlwood School and Castlefell School near the A38 in Rudgeway.