'Leaders have high ambition for pupils': Report published into new independent school opening near Bridgnorth next month
A new independent school for children with education, health, and care plans in place is due to open near Bridgnorth next month.
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Esland Shropshire School is due to open in the Old Navy Building on the outskirts of Ditton Priors near Bridgnorth in January 2025.
The single-storey building on Station Road was formerly part of redundant military buildings used by the Navy, but was changed into offices and storage in 1999.
It has since been purchased by Esland and renovated, along with outside space - with one yet undeveloped building to the side of the school buildings.
Esland, who already operates schools in Bedford, Daven and Grantham, said the new independent school will provide education for students aged eight to 18 with Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs).
The school will specialise in supporting pupils with a primary need related to Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC), Speech Language and Communication Needs (SLCN), anxiety and emotionally based school avoidance, and Social, Emotional, and Mental Health needs (SEMH).
According to their website, the school will provide "high-quality, outcome-based learning in a sensory-friendly environment".
Ofsted inspectors visited with the organisation and school leaders back in November and have now published a school pre-registration inspection report.
According to the report, the school will be able to host up to 35 pupils and will employ up to 10 full-time equivalent teaching staff and five staff in the welfare provision.
The report also states that the headteacher will be Jo Blakeman, and the annual fees for day pupils will be £67,425.
Inspector, Bianka Zemke said the curriculum was "detailed and well thought-out" and that the school intended to "create personalised and bespoke curriculums for all pupils".
She added: "Leaders have high ambition for pupils who will attend the proposed school. They have formulated a clear curriculum that details their intentions about how pupils will progressively build on their knowledge and understanding over time."
The reported concluded that the school was likely to meet all the independent school standards when it opens next month.
