However, there is still a significant shortfall in the amount of spaces available in our city
A new site in South Bristol will offer some much-needed places for SEND pupils(Image: Getty)
A new site in South Bristol is set to provide up to 66 new places for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Throgmorton House, in Knowle, is scheduled to have a phased opening this Easter ahead of a full launch in September for the new school year. It will be known as Briarwood South and will be a satellite of the Briarwood School in Fishponds, a special educational needs school which received an ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted rating at its most recent inspection in October 2024.
Councillor Christine Townsend, Chair of the Children and Young People Committee, said: “Families in south Bristol have told us how important it is to have the right support closer to home. Developing Throgmorton House as part of Briarwood will create dozens of new specialist places, reduce unnecessary travel, and give children access to a high‑quality curriculum and therapies in their community.
“It’s a practical step to meet urgent need quickly and sustainably, and one that will make a real difference to local families and improve outcomes for children with the most complex needs.”
In spite of the good news, the council is still some way short of its goal to create 569 new specialist places in Bristol by 2030 amid ever-rising demand.
Trym Valley Academy, a new specialist free school in Southmead which will provide space for another 164 pupils, is scheduled to open in September 2028 having been granted the necessary government funding by the Department for Education
Two refurbished schools, Henbury Court and St Anne’s Infant School, will create a further 54 new places.
Briarwood School currently provides education for 164 pupils with severe and profound learning difficulties, complex needs, autism, and sensory impairment. According to 2024’s glowing Ofsted report, “pupils feel safe, secure and understood” and it is a place where they “thrive”.
Nicolle Deighton, executive headteacher at Briarwood, said the opening of Throgmorton House would be an important moment for SEND students in South Bristol.
“Briarwood South, opening in Throgmorton House, represents a significant milestone in Briarwood’s commitment to meeting Bristol’s growing need for high quality SEND provision,” she said. “This expansion strengthens our capacity to offer more specialist places and extend the outstanding practice that defines our school.”
“At the heart of this development is our belief that every child deserves the opportunity to flourish within a nurturing and aspirational community. By opening this new site we can reach more families, provide rich and personalised learning experiences and build on the strong sense of belonging that makes Briarwood unique.
“We are proud to continue our mission to help pupils ‘Enjoy, Engage, Learn’, and we look forward to the positive impact Briarwood South will have for children and young people across the city.”