Schools and education

Bishop Arden project update: Due to projections showing the need for secondary school places in Hillingdon continuing to fall, plans for Bishop Arden Free School have been withdrawn and the new free school that was previously proposed will not be built.

New special free school

We are delighted to announce that we have been successful in our bid to the Department for Education to open a new special free school.

It will provide spaces for 180 children and young people with autism spectrum condition and/or associated complex needs moderate learning difficulties and severe learning difficulties, complementing our existing SEND provision.

It is our aim that the new special free school will open in 2025/26. This date my vary dependent on pre-opening stage.

Alongside the Department for Education, we will be seeking proposals from organisations that are interested in establishing and running the new special free school.

Engagement events

Online engagement events were held on Friday 2, Thursday 8 and Friday 9 June for prospective trusts to find out more and have the opportunity to ask questions. 

Next steps

  • November to December 2023: Trusts that were successful in the application process will be invited to interviews during this time.
  • January 2024: The Department for Education will announce the successful Trust to lead on the Special Free School in Hillingdon.
Page last updated: 21 Nov 2023