The council plans to invest £6.1 million to set up a new special school for children aged 11-18 with complex needs in the areas of autism with social, emotional and mental health difficulties. The school will be based in Keynsham and is planned to open in September 2027. We are seeking proposals from appropriate academy trusts to open this new school. This school would be deemed a free school.
Call for bids to manage this school
This school will be deemed a free school, and we are seeking proposals from appropriate academy trusts to take on this important project.
View the specification for a new Special Free School in Bath and North East Somerset
Project timeline
A Market Engagement Event for parties interested in running the school has been organised to take place on 22 October 2pm to 3:30pm at:
Keynsham Community Space (over the library)
Market Walk
Keynsham
BS31 1FS
There will also the possibility of attending on Microsoft Teams. Please register your interest in attending this event by responding to education_commissioning@bathnes.gov.uk If you are interested in understanding more about the commissioning intentions and would like a discussion ahead of this event, please contact the Head of Education Commissioning.
Specification published
Active
Market engagement
On target
Submissions deadline
On target
Assessment panels
On target
Local Authority recommendation to the Secretary of State (via the Regional Director)
On target
Regional Director informs the LA and successful proposer of its decision
On target