By Harry Mottram: There was no doubt a collective sigh of relief amongst those looking forward to a new special school in Bath and those in the Lib Dem administration in the Guildhall at the news that finally funding has been unlocked for the new schools to be built at Culverhay in Bath. The government has announced a capital fund of at least £3bn over the next four years to help create at least 50,000 new places for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in schools across England. B&NES Council has confirmed that the announcement includes funding for Green Ways Academy (special school) and Sulis Academy (alternative provision), both due to be built on the Culverhay site.
The new schools are expected to provide 120 places for children with SEND in Bath and North East Somerset alongside 55 alternative provision places. The project has been on hold for the past 18 months, whilst a government spending review took place. Speaking at a B&NES Council committee, Councillor Manda Rigby (Cabinet member for Communications and Community) said: “This announcement strengthens our plans for two new free schools: Green Ways Academy (special school) and Sulis Academy (alternative provision), both due to be delivered on the Culverhay site in Bath. These schools will provide much-needed specialist places for children and young people, reducing the need for families to travel out of area for appropriate provision. This will also help manage council finances by lowering transport costs and improving sustainability.”
Last week the Bath MP Wera Hobhouse, asked the Prime Minister directly during PMQs how much longer families and children with special educational needs will have to wait for the new school. She said: “I’m very pleased that the Government has now decided to release funding for this much-needed new special school. Families in Bath have been waiting years for this, and the delay meant children were forced to travel further and wait longer for the support they deserve.”
Alternative Provision Schooling is education arranged by local authorities for children of compulsory school age who, because of exclusion, illness or other reasons, would not otherwise receive suitable education; alternative provision can also be used by schools for children on a suspension (fixed period exclusion); and for children being directed by schools to offsite provision to receive education intended to improve their behaviour.
Culverhay School was built in 1956 as Westhill Boys’ school which evolved from the former West Twerton School as a Secondary Modern School and changed its name to Culverhay School in 1971 after the City of Bath changed the system from grammar schools and secondary modern schools from the age of 11 based on academic tests such as the 11+ exam to the comprehensive system. It became a mixed sex school in 2012 when it was rebranded as the Bath Community Academy which closed in 2018. Since then a number of ideas have been put forward including an adult education college – but now it appears the classic 1950s buildings with various additions will be flattened to make way for two schools fit for the 21st century.
Memories of Culverhay School to the editor at news@bathvoice.co.uk
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