Court Fields School in Wellington is considering the establishment of a second special needs unit following the conclusion of a public consultation. Located on Mantle Street and operating within the Blackdown Education Partnership multi-academy trust, which includes schools like Orchard Grove Primary and Holyrood Academy, Court Fields already offers tailored support through its ‘Cove’ service for students facing anxiety-related barriers.
The new proposal aims to convert Block E, known as ‘The Bungalow,’ into a dedicated, nurturing space for up to eight pupils in Key Stage 3 and 4 who hold Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs). This unit would focus specifically on children with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs, particularly those displaying internalising behaviours such as anxiety or depression, as well as neurodivergent students.
The unit will provide a low-sensory, predictable environment combining specialist teaching with supported access to mainstream lessons. This mix of in-person and online learning is designed to enable pupils to stay connected to their local community while receiving personalised educational support.
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Headteacher Polly Matthews expressed enthusiasm about the development, stating, “This is an incredibly exciting development for Court Fields School and for our wider community. Expanding our specialist support through an additional SEND unit will allow us to serve more young people locally and reinforce our commitment to inclusive education.”
The initiative aligns with Somerset Council’s SEND strategy and the UK government’s SEND white paper published earlier this year. Beyond increasing capacity, the new unit aims to provide early intervention that could reduce the need for costly specialist placements outside Somerset.
Local parents, carers, and residents are invited to participate in the consultation by visiting www.bep.ac or emailing [email protected] before the June 1 deadline. Feedback will be carefully reviewed before the multi-academy trust makes a final decision. If approved, the project will require final authorization from Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson MP, although no timeline for implementation has been announced.