Understand
Student places doubled for new Darlington SEND school
Overview
Plans to double the number of places at the new Garden Village Free School in Darlington have been approved by the Department for Education. The facility, catering for 11 to 19-year-olds with autism spectrum disorder, will now offer 96 places instead of the originally planned 48 to help meet local needs.
Key points
- Secretary of State for Education Lucy Powell approved plans to double the capacity of the Garden Village Free School in Darlington.
- The school will cater for 11 to 19-year-olds with autism spectrum disorder, providing 96 places instead of the initially planned 48.
- The facility will be run by the Education Village Academy Trust (EVAT) on land owned by Darlington Borough Council near Newton Lane, West Park.
- About 100 staff will work at the new school, which will feature facilities such as science laboratories, arts studios, and a forest school.
- EVAT chief executive Marie Roe stated the local provision will reduce long travel distances for pupils and improve their life chances.