Rochford’s First SEND School - Leigh-on-Sea

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Leigh On Sea News: Rochford’s First SEND School – ZENITH Multi Academy Trust has been appointed to run the first ever Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) school in Rayleigh.

Rochford’s First SEND School - ZENITH Multi Academy Trust has been appointed to run the first ever Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) school in Rayleigh.

ZENITH Multi Academy Trust has been appointed to run the first ever Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) school in Rayleigh.

Zenith Multi Academy Trust will work alongside Essex County Council and recently announced contractor, Kier, as plans to establish the school progress.

Following a selection process, the Department for Education formally approved the county council’s recommendation of the trust as the sponsor for the new two-site school.

The council has also selected Kier Construction to design and build the school.

As part of plans, 150 places will be created at a site on the Wolsey Park development, off Rawreth Lane, Rayleigh. This will be the first SEND school in the Rochford district.

Another 40 places will also be created at the former Chetwood Primary School site in South Woodham Ferrers, taking the school’s total capacity to 190 pupils.

Coun Tony Ball, Cabinet Member 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.”

Rayleigh and Wickford MP, Mark Francois, 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.”

Andy Hodgkinson, CEO of Zenith Trust, said: “We are honoured to have been chosen to run the new special school, and we are very much look forward to working with families and the local community, Essex Local Authority, the DfE, and our local MP Mark Francois, to deliver a truly outstanding provision.

“We will work closely with parents/carers and other key stakeholders, as well as using all the knowledge and skills gained through Castledon School joining our Trust in 2023, to ensure children with the most complex needs get the very best levels of care and the education they deserve.”

Chair of Trustees, Stewart Taylor, added: “This is a fantastic opportunity for our Trust to make a real difference, and add much needed capacity to the wider SEND system in south Essex.”

Chris Lilley, regional director at Kier Construction Eastern and Midlands said: “We are excited to have the opportunity to work with Essex County Council and continue to grow our strong eight-year relationship with the council.

“With solid experience and expertise in education projects, our brilliant team are delighted to have the opportunity to serve the communities in which they live, deliver high-quality educational spaces and drive social value in Essex.”

The creation of the school is being funded via a combination of section 106 contributions and a Department for Education grant.

Picture: From left – Andy Hodgkinson, Zenith CEO, Mark Francois MP, Councillor Tony Ball, Essex County Council

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