Extra 120 Send places as school gets approval

An additional 120 school spaces for children with special educational needs (Send) are set to become available after the approval for a new satellite school.

Approved by the Department of Education, the school will be located in a former boarding house on the grounds of Wellington Academy in Ludgershall.

Named Exeter House Wellington, the school for four to 19-year-olds will include sensory and soft play spaces, 12 classrooms, plus a specialist classroom for food technology and life skills.

The satellite school is linked to Exeter House in Salisbury, a school which works across three different locations in the city and which is run by Brunel Academies Trust.

Wiltshire councillor Jon Hubbard said the school "will make a huge difference" for pupils and families in the county.

"We want all our children and young people to have the choice to be educated in Wiltshire," he said.

"We have long term plans to create more Send spaces and this latest satellite school is helping us achieve this."

The boarding school was closed down by Wellington Academy in July 2024 and the new school is expected to open in autumn 2026.

Jackie Fieldwick, CEO of Brunel Academies Trust, said: "This fabulous collaboration with Wiltshire Council will provide excellent opportunities for children and young people in the Tidworth and surrounding areas to be successful and happy."

She said the provision would allow local children and young people with additional needs to be supported in their communities.

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