Brent to Build New 50-Place SEND School in North London to Meet Growing Demand

Key Points

• Brent Council plans to build a new 50-place primary school for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) at the Strathcona site in Preston Park.
• The proposal was approved at a Brent Council Cabinet meeting on November 17, 2025.
• The school is part of a broader strategy to increase primary and secondary SEND places in the borough by 212 over two years.
• This strategy aims to reduce £17.5 million annual costs of out-of-borough and independent SEND placements, plus £6 million in transport costs.
• The Strathcona site became available after Islamia Primary School relocated following Roe Green School’s closure.
• Additional SEND places are planned at Woodfield School (40), The Avenue (34), The Manor School (88), and The Village School (40).
• The council will consult on these expansions, with completion timelines ranging from 2026 to 2028.
• The highest rise in Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs) is among primary-aged children (ages 5–10), increasing by 8.2% in the last year.

What are the Brent Council’s plans for new SEND provision in North London?

Brent Council has officially revealed plans to construct a new 50-place primary school dedicated to children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) at the Strathcona site in Preston Park. This announcement, reported by Jake Halliday of MyLondon News, follows approval at the council’s Cabinet meeting on November 17, 2025.

The project aims to address the growing demand for SEND places in the borough, which has intensified in recent years. This new school forms a critical part of a wider strategic initiative that will see the borough increase both primary and secondary SEND school places by 212 in the next two years. Brent Council hopes that boosting in-borough provision will reduce the financial burden caused by sending pupils to costly independent and out-of-borough schools.

Why is the Strathcona site being used for this new SEND school?

The Strathcona site became available following a relocation of Islamia Primary School, which moved to a new facility at Gwenneth Rickus in Stonebridge. This move happened after the closure of Roe Green School, as detailed by journalist Jake Halliday. The release of this site provides the necessary space to build the new SEND primary provision, making it an opportune location for this initiative.

What other SEND expansions are planned in Brent?

Beyond the Strathcona site, Brent Council is also consulting on further expansions to SEND school places at several other schools in the borough, as covered by MyLondon:

• Woodfield School: additional 40 places
• The Avenue: additional 34 places
• The Manor School: additional 88 places
• The Village School: a net gain of 40 places

If approved, the new places will be added gradually: Strathcona and The Manor School’s expansions are targeted for delivery in 2026, Woodfield and The Avenue in 2027, and The Village School by 2028.

What is driving the growing demand for SEND places in Brent?

Brent Council highlighted a notable increase in the number of Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs) across all age groups over the past year. The highest rise, an 8.2% increase, has been observed among primary school-aged children between five and ten years old, according to reports from MyLondon. This trend reflects a post-Covid surge in demand, placing pressure on the current SEND provision within the borough.

How does the current SEND provision impact Brent Council’s finances?

Currently, Brent Council spends approximately £17.5 million annually on placing SEND pupils in out-of-borough and independent schools. Additionally, the council incurs about £6 million in transport expenses related to these placements. Councillor Daniel Kennelly of Preston Park, speaking at the Cabinet meeting, said,

“Thanks to funding being made available, thanks to a site being freed up, we are now able to open a 50-place primary school for SEND education to meet the growing need of EHCPs in the borough.”

This new school and the wider expansion plan are designed to curb these soaring costs by increasing local provision. The council anticipates significant long-term savings while improving access to education closer to home for families in Brent.

What are the next steps and consultation process for the new SEND school?

The plan to develop the new SEND school at the Strathcona site will now move into the local consultation phase. Brent Council aims to engage with residents, parents, and stakeholders to gather feedback before finalising construction plans.

Public consultations will also take place regarding expansions at Woodfield, The Avenue, The Manor, and The Village Schools, ensuring transparency and community involvement throughout this period.

What challenges is Brent Council addressing with this SEND strategy?

Brent Council is responding to several ongoing challenges:

• Rapidly growing demand for SEND places, especially post-pandemic.
• Financial pressures from using expensive out-of-borough and independent placement options.
• The need to provide inclusive education within local communities to reduce disruption for children and families.

By adding 212 SEND places in primary and secondary schools and opening the new 50-place primary SEND facility, the council aims to balance educational quality, accessibility, and budget sustainability.