New 'first of its kind' SEND school with 190 places to be built

A new “state-of-the-art” special needs school, with 190 places, has been announced for Essex, with construction workers being appointed for the development. The new school will be built off Rawreth Lane, Rayleigh, with a building firm being appointed for the development, as part of a project with Zenith Multi Academy Trust and Essex County Council. The new school will form part of the 136 home Wolsey Park development in Rayleigh.

The new school will be split across two sites, with another 40 places will also be created at the former Chetwood Primary School site in South Woodham Ferrers, taking the new special needs school’s total capacity to 190 pupils. The new school is due to open in Autumn 2026, with the MP saying it’s “great news for special needs pupils, who will benefit as a result."

Mark Francois, Tory MP for Rayleigh and Wickford, said: "As the instigator of this project, I'm delighted to see that we now have both a contractor appointed to build this vital new school and a highly capable Trust selected to run it, when it opens in Autumn 2026. This is great news for special needs pupils, who will benefit as a result."

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James Newport, Lib Dem leader of Rochford Council, said: “I welcome the addition of this extra SEND provision, which adds to the alternative educational provisions in our District, including RAW Learning Forest School in Rochford and Omnia Independent School in Rayleigh.

“As the first severe learning difficulties special school for our district, it will ensure that some of our children and young people will no longer have to travel far from home on school transport. Instead, they will have the opportunity to receive their education within our own community.

“I am beyond delighted that Andy Hodgkinson from Zenith, will return to working locally with our young people and I have full confidence that his experience and expertise will serve him and our young people well with his leadership at this special needs school.”

Tony Ball, Tory county councillor for education excellence, lifelong learning and employability, said: “The selection of the Zenith Multi Academy Trust as the sponsor for the new Wolsey Park SEND school marks another exciting milestone in the development of this much-needed special school.

“Once complete, the school will offer almost 200 special school places for young people in south Essex from a state-of-the-art, purpose-built facility. With Kier now also on board as the contractor, we can really start to move forward with momentum. I look forward to seeing this innovative project progress.”