After a prolonged wait, Bath and North East Somerset Council has finally secured the funding necessary to move forward with plans to replace Culverhay with two new specialist schools. This funding announcement, confirmed last week, ends an 18-month freeze imposed by the government, allowing the construction to proceed.
The council had previously approved plans to demolish the Culverhay site to build a 120-place special school, Green Ways Academy, and a 55-place alternative provision school, Sulis Academy. Both projects aim to provide vital specialist education places for children in the area, reducing the need for families to send their children to schools as far away as Somerset, Bristol, and Wiltshire.
Council cabinet member for communications and community, Manda Rigby, emphasized the significance of these developments during a recent council meeting. She stated, “These schools will meet the growing demand for specialist education locally, improving access for families and supporting council finances by lowering transport costs and promoting sustainability. Additionally, the new funding allows us to explore expanding SEND capacity in existing schools.”
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The lack of sufficient SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) spaces has forced the council to rely heavily on transporting children out of the region, which has been a significant burden on families and council resources.
The announcement follows increased pressure from Bath MP Wera Hobhouse, who raised the issue directly with Prime Minister Keir Starmer during Prime Minister’s Questions in December. Hobhouse highlighted the hardships faced by families due to the delayed funding. Starmer acknowledged the problem, affirming the government’s commitment to improving the SEND system and promising ongoing reviews and reforms.
Reacting to the funding news, Hobhouse said, “Families in Bath have been waiting too long for this support. The delay meant children had to endure unnecessary travel and long waits. This is a positive step forward, but there’s still more work needed to properly support vulnerable children.”
Local councillor Steve Hedges, representing Odd Down where Culverhay is located, expressed his support: “Culverhay holds great importance for our community. We’re thrilled to be closer to restoring this site for educational use. The new schools will ease the strain on families by cutting down the lengthy journeys children currently face.”
The council has held the Culverhay site since the closure of Bath Community Academy in 2018, reserving it for education redevelopment. With funding now secured, the site will be handed over to the Department for Education to begin construction of the new specialist schools, marking a significant milestone for SEND provision in Bath.