Proposals to redevelop the site of the former Bath Community Academy School will be discussed by Bath and North East Somerset Council’s cabinet.

Plans have been drawn up to redevelop the site with a new school for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and a new alternative provision school.

The SEND buildings will be considered a Free Special School enabling more children with special educational needs to be better supported in their local area. The alternative provision school would meet the needs of the most vulnerable pupils at risk of permanent exclusion.

Following confirmation of funding from the Department for Education for the two schools, the council is now required to make a suitable site available in order for the plans to progress.

The council has retained the site of the former Culverhay School since Bath Community Academy’s closure in 2018 as a site that is well located to meet the needs of children and young people. It also argued one site could accommodate both types of educational provision.

The report going before cabinet on June 6 asks for approval to deploy the Culverhay site to provide a SEND Free Special School contracted with Three Ways Academy Trust and to provide an Alternative Provision School contracted with Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership Trust.

If the proposals are agreed, the council would be required to vacate the site by early 2025 and construction could begin later that year.

Councillor Paul May, cabinet member for children’s services, said: “It’s excellent news that funding for both these schools has been confirmed and we can now take the next step to progress a suitable site. Having a new Free Special School in our area will provide a specialist and specific learning environment for children with SEND. The Alternative Provision School will offer high quality educational and vocational opportunities for young people who have been excluded or are at risk of being excluded.

“The former site of Culverhay School has long been identified as a possible location for both schools and we will now consider in more detail whether it ticks all the boxes.”

The agenda for the meeting, which will be held on June 6 at 6.30pm, can be read on Bath and North East Somerset Council’s website.

The cabinet meeting will be streamed online. Watch the webcast on the council’s website or or view it on the council's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/bathnescouncil.