Richmond’s new specialist school centre marks a major step in local SEND support

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1. https://www.mylondon.news/news/south-london-news/new-sen-school-south-west-32722136 - Please view link - unable to able to access data
2. https://www.kier.co.uk/media/newsroom/press-releases/kier-appointed-to-deliver-vital-send-provision-in-london-borough-of-richmond-upon-thames/ - Kier has been appointed to deliver a new satellite centre for Clarendon School, a special educational needs and disability (SEND) school in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. The purpose-designed building, delivered through the SCAPE Construction Framework, will expand the school's specialist provision and provide high-quality facilities for up to 77 primary and secondary pupils (KS1–KS5) with moderate learning difficulties and complex needs, including autism. The new centre will include ten classrooms, four specialist teaching spaces, a hall, therapy rooms, and outdoor areas such as play zones and a sensory garden. Designed with sustainability at its core, the school aims to achieve a BREEAM 'Excellent' rating and net zero carbon in operation, in line with local and London planning requirements. Energy efficiency features include heating powered by air source heat pumps, photovoltaic panels for green electricity, motion detection light switches, and smart meters with energy monitoring and reporting facilities.
3. https://www.aurigaacademytrust.org.uk/ - The Auriga Academy Trust aims to provide outstanding special needs provision for the local community. The Trust works in a supportive partnership with local special schools, each maintaining its unique identity and ethos. Through the Trust, the schools collaborate to ensure maximum benefit for all students through shared best practice, resources, and economies of scale. The Trust manages several schools, including Clarendon School, Strathmore School, and Capella House School, all dedicated to supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities.
4. https://twickenham.nub.news/news/local-news/new-send-satellite-centre-for-clarendon-school-to-be-built-in-twickenham-276142 - A new purpose-built special educational needs and disability (SEND) satellite centre for Clarendon School in Twickenham is set to be built, after the Council appointed construction company Kier to deliver the project. The new facility, developed through the SCAPE Construction Framework, will provide high-quality education and support for up to 77 pupils across primary and secondary age groups (KS1–KS5) with moderate learning difficulties and complex needs, including autism. Forming part of Richmond Council's wider investment in expanding SEND provision locally, the project will ensure children and young people can access the right support closer to home and reduce the need for placements outside the borough. The new site will feature ten classrooms and four specialist teaching spaces for art, drama, music, food technology, and life skills, alongside a hall, therapy rooms, kitchen, group spaces, offices, and breakout areas. Outdoor areas will include soft and hard play zones, a sports court, and a sensory garden, while new car parking facilities will include electric vehicle charging points and cycle storage to support sustainable travel. Designed with sustainability at its heart, the new centre is targeting a BREEAM 'Excellent' rating and aims to be net zero carbon in operation. Features will include air source heat pumps, photovoltaic panels, motion sensor lighting, and smart energy monitoring systems.
5. https://richmond.nub.news/news/local-news/new-petersham-school-for-children-with-special-education-needs-wins-approval-188337 - A new school will be built in Petersham to replace 'derelict' buildings on a site which has been a magnet for anti-social behaviour, including vandalism and arson attempts, since becoming empty in 2018. The opening of the Clarendon Centre, Petersham, is expected to see local kids with special educational needs avoid a 'tiring' journey across the River Thames to go to school. The new school on Meadlands Drive will be managed by the Auriga Academy Trust, which already runs the Clarendon School across three sites in Richmond for kids with special educational needs – including a primary and secondary school. Old buildings for the Strathmore School will be knocked down to make way for the Clarendon Centre, which will have around 77 pupils and 35 to 40 staff, after the scheme was approved by Richmond Council's planning committee on Wednesday (June 14). About the new school, Lib Dem councillor Penny Frost said: "It will be welcomed by all parents on the Richmond side [of the borough] because that avoids that daily journey across the river which is so tiring and trying for the young people... from the Richmond side who are having to go across the river to the splendid sites on the Hampton and Twickenham and Whitton sites, but nothing on our side. It's been a long time coming to fruition."
6. https://richmond.nub.news/news/local-news/new-school-planned-for-derelict-site-in-petersham-plagued-by-vandalism-and-arson-attempts-179350 - Derelict buildings which have become a magnet for vandalism and arson attempts could be knocked down to build a new school. Auriga Academy Trust is looking at opening a new school on the former site of Strathmore School, in Petersham, to provide "urgently needed" places for pupils with special educational needs. Auriga already runs three sites in Richmond borough, including a primary and secondary school, for children with special educational needs. Under its plans, the new school, known as the Clarendon Centre, would have around 77 students and 35 to 40 staff in Meadlands Drive, Petersham. Old buildings would be demolished to make way for the Clarendon Centre and a school used to operate from the site. Strathmore School moved out of Meadlands Drive in 2018 after splitting into two sites – leaving the buildings empty. Application documents call the site "derelict" and said the buildings have "fallen into a significant state of disrepair and are a magnet for anti-social behaviour". This includes "vandalism and arson attempts". Another statement with the application from Achieving for Children, the council's children's services provider, says existing state-funded mixed-sex special schools in Richmond are at maximum capacity and have no room for further expansion. The statement says 251 students from Richmond with special educational needs, who have education, health and care plans, go to special schools outside of the borough – some "at a considerable distance away" – as of December 5, 2022. Special schools in neighbouring boroughs are also at full capacity, it adds. The statement says: "It is evident that more specialist school places are urgently needed within the borough, and that the supply of special school places, in particular, is inadequate to meet current and forecast need." It adds: "Other sites in the borough were considered as possible locations but none has enough suitable spare space. As the site was until [recently] used for a special school, there is no change of use and would provide an effective repurposing to retain the site in much-needed specialist educational use." The school would be for primary and secondary pupils. It would include ten classrooms, four specialist teaching spaces, offices, therapy rooms, play areas and a sensory garden. Members of the public can provide feedback on the plans and a decision will be made after the consultation has closed.
7. https://www.willmottdixon.co.uk/projects/richmond-upon-thames-school - Willmott Dixon has built a new campus in Richmond upon Thames, creating around 900 new school places. The vision for the schools was to create a new education and enterprise campus, comprising of Richmond upon Thames College Free School (750 pupils), Clarendon SEN School (90 pupils) and Newhouse Centre (23 pupils), located on Richmond College Campus. The Campus provides unparalleled opportunities for developing skills and pursuing employment through work experience, apprenticeships and ultimately, jobs. Though separate, the schools share catering and activities facilities, with provision externally for outdoor dining areas, play equipment, sports pitches, and outdoor reading areas. Roger Forsdyke, managing director of Willmott Dixon, said: "We are delighted to have completed this cutting-edge campus, providing a fantastic learning environment for 900 students."