Specialised school and college places for children and young people with disabilities

Within Sutton, there is significant demand on specialist education provision, both for school-age children and older. Earlier this week,I was delighted to see our proposals to expand Sutton Life Centre into a college for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) agreed and passed unanimously by Sutton’s councillors. 

The new college, run by Orchard Hill College, will provide high-quality, specialist school places for students with complex needs, and is well-placed to meet the needs of current and future young people in Sutton. These proposals will also ensure that we can keep the existing library and sports facilities at the Life Centre, which provide valued local services for our residents.

This month, the Council’s Planning Committee approved two further applications which will provide additional special school places and make improvements to existing spaces.

Part of the Government’s Free School programme, Angel Hill school will see 96 new special school places created for children with complex special educational needs and disabilities. Improvement works were also approved for Sherwood Park School Hill Campus, a locally maintained special school that meets the needs of the borough's most complex learners with autism. 

Sutton is committed to making sure that we are an inclusive borough and that young people with SEND are well-supported and receive a high-quality education with opportunities for their future. I’m proud of the excellent schools and education provision in the borough and our commitment to ensure that all children and young people reach their full potential.

Councillor Ruth Dombey
Leader of the Council