It will operate as an extension of the Lime Academy Hornbeam, which is based across three schools, reports Sebastian Mann, Local Democracy Reporter
Plans to convert an early-years centre in Walthamstow into a school for children with special educational needs (SEND) have been approved.
Waltham Forest councillors green-lit the scheme at a planning committee last night (7th July).
The Chapel End Early Years Centre is set to relocate from Brookscroft Road and join its sister site, the Chapel End Infant School, in the summer, freeing the building up.
In its place, Waltham Forest Council hopes to open a school for 40 SEND pupils and 32 staff. Pupils would be attending between 7.45am and 6pm.
It will operate as an extension of the Lime Academy Hornbeam, which is based across three schools. William Morris provides secondary SEND education, while Brookfield House supports pupils with profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD).
The council previously said the new site would “allow more pupils to access high-quality, nurturing education close to home, helping to maintain community connections and reduce reliance on out-of-borough placements, which can mean longer travel times for families,” the Waltham Forest Echo reports.
Lime Trust, which oversees the schools, said the new centre would “create an environment tailored to younger pupils, including use of existing outdoor space to support ‘forest school-style learning’ as part of a broad and balanced curriculum”.
No objections from the public were received, but because the proposals were put forward by the council, they needed to go before a committee made up of elected officials.
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