Wiltshire Council’s cabinet is set to consider accepting £4.08 million in capital funding from the Department for Education (DfE) to create new high-needs places for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) across the county.
The funding would support a major expansion of specialist provision, helping more children access the support they need closer to home.
Following a review of its options, the council has confirmed it will go ahead with a new 130-place Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) free school at Bitham Park in Westbury. The school will be delivered in partnership with Brunel Multi Academy Trust.
Alongside this, Wiltshire Council has decided not to proceed with previously proposed Alternative Provision (AP) free schools in the north and south of the county.
Instead, the funding will be used to create at least 80 additional high-quality specialist places through local provision. This approach is expected to deliver support more quickly while benefiting a wider number of children and young people.
Because the council’s constitution requires cabinet approval for funding over £1 million, the decision must now be formally agreed at a cabinet meeting on 29 April 2026.
Cllr Jon Hubbard, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, SEND, Education and Skills, said, “We are pleased to be progressing with a new 130-place special school in Westbury while also additionally creating 80 specialist places across Wiltshire to meet growing need.
“This DfE funding gives us the opportunity to create the right provision, in the right places, at the right time for Wiltshire children in line with our ambitions set out in Our Wiltshire Plan. Bitham Park represents a significant opportunity and the additional 80 places will allow us to invest flexibly across the county, supporting children with high needs closer to their communities, families and schools.”
The decision reflects changes since the original proposals were developed, including rising demand for flexible, community-based provision and delays to the national free school programme.
If approved, the investment is expected to significantly strengthen Wiltshire’s ability to support children with SEND, ensuring more families can access appropriate education provision within their local area.
Cabinet will consider the proposals at its meeting on 29 April 2026. The cabinet report is available to read here – Agenda – Democratic Services – Wiltshire Council
