THURROCK Council has approved £7.6million for a major expansion of a special needs school in Grays, aiming to ease pressure on 200 families struggling to secure places.
The funding, agreed at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday as part of the council’s education capital programme, will deliver a 12-classroom extension at Treetops Free School in Buxton Road. The project is expected to create 120 additional places for children with special educational needs (SEN) over three years, from 2026 to 2029.
Paul Smith, CEO of Treetops Learning Community, which runs both Treetops School and Treetops Free School, welcomed the decision. He said: “It’s good news for the families wanting to get their children into our schools. We’ve got something like 200 families waiting for a place.
“It hasn’t gone to planning yet as they had to get cabinet approval, but there have been some preliminary drawings so we can see what it might look like. I would think, with a fair wind, it is at least two to three years away.”
Treetops School, which opened in 2008, currently has capacity for 320 pupils. The free school was built to accommodate 140 but now has 158 enrolled, prompting the need for expansion.
“We quickly filled up the free school, so we’re building an extension to that,” Mr Smith added.
Vikki Hartstean, cabinet member for children’s services, education and community safety, said the move was vital for Thurrock’s young people.
Speaking at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, she said: “We’re seeking cabinet approval for the expansion of the Treetops Free School. That’s really good news. It’s a 12-classroom expansion and that will provide an extra 120 places for young people with special educational needs over a three-year period. These places are really needed, and I’m delighted by this.”
Design feasibility studies have already been completed, with the estimated cost of £7.6m covering architects’ fees and all associated expenses. The works will be funded through the Department for Education’s SEN Capital Grant and Basic Need Grant, meaning no additional council resources are required.
The council also confirmed plans for a £600,000 project at Thameside Primary Academy to create a permanent alternative provision facility, funded through existing S106 receipts.
Categories: Education
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