Hertfordshire students get a sneak peek at their new SEND school
The new James Marks Academy is a new communication and autism secondary school currently being constructed in Welwyn Garden City.
The school, which opened a satellite class for 20 pupils on the Roman Fields site in Hemel Hempstead in September 2023, is due to open for 45 pupils in September 2024 (a further 25 places in addition to the existing 20 pupils) with the total pupil number rising to 60 in September 2025.
The new school is the result of a successful bid by Hertfordshire County Council to build a new communication and autism special secondary school, through the Department for Education’s Free School delivery programme.
Two of the existing pupils, Teddy and Kayden, took time out of their school day (on Thursday 7 March) to visit their new school being built.
"It’s been great. I’ve never actually been on a building site before, but it was very interesting going into the different rooms and seeing what it’s like. I’m mostly excited about being able to go around the new school and go into different rooms for different lessons, as I am usually in the same room for most of my lessons at my current school."
- Kayden, a current year eight pupil at the school
"It has been absolutely incredible! It’s been very eye opening of all the ins and outs of a humungous project like this. It has been really, really interesting seeing this entire project and I am super excited to come and learn here!"
- Teddy, a current year seven student
This new school is part of the council’s aim to provide increased communication and autism provision, through a graduated offer, across the county. Whilst most children with autism can have their needs met in mainstream schools, through quality inclusive teaching, some need more targeted support – which they can access through Specialist Resource Provisions (SRPs in mainstream schools) and Hertfordshire’s new communication and autism special schools.
The school will be run by the James Marks Academy Trust, who were selected by Hertfordshire County Council following a competitive tender and approved by the Department for Education. The county council will fund the places for pupils at the school, through its High Needs Funding budget.
It’s going to be a great facility for the youngsters in the county and it is already doing what it set out to do. There are many more youngsters staying within the county to attend this school, and others like it, which means that more young people can go to schools close to their own community.
“We’re really looking forward to getting the keys in the summer and we will start to transition the students then, to help them feel settled in their new school. I’m absolutely convinced it will look amazing when it’s finished, and I’ll be very proud of it!"
- Trevor Orchard, the Executive Head for James Marks Academy Trust
The new school is currently being constructed by Bowmer + Kirkland ltd, with the building development funded by the Department for Education. As part of the construction process, Bowmer + Kirkland are committed to sustainable development and providing social value alongside the build, this includes employing local people and delivering 50 hours of teaching and engagement sessions for local schools.
For more information about how we’re investing in special school places in Hertfordshire visit: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/specialschoolplaces
For information and resources to help you support a child with special educational needs, visit the Hertfordshire SEND local offer: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/localoffer