Two new schools catering for secondary and special needs pupils are set to open in Hyndburn.
St Christopher’s CE High School is proposing to create a new school for pupils with special needs, while a new secondary school, The Evergreen, is planned for Great Harwood.
Both schools are part of the New Schools Network’s development programme.
The governing body of St Christopher’s is supporting the application, which proposes a new 11-19 special school to open in September 2018.
The new school will cater for pupils with special needs, particularly those with autism spectrum disorder and will ensure that parents are offered a range of quality provision. A site for the school is yet to be identified.
Richard Jones, headmaster of St Christopher’s, said: “St Christopher’s has worked hard over many years to secure an excellent reputation for educating young people from across the ability range.
“I am delighted that our proposal to open a new special school will allow us to educate, support and guide a group of pupils with particular needs, allowing them to benefit from our expertise and the strong and clear ethos of a church school.”
An information evening will be held at St Christopher’s on Thursday, June 16 at 6pm.
The Evergreen School, planned for Great Harwood, would focus on science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).
A board of trustees has been formed and the school will apply for government funding, with the aim of opening in 2018.
Sonia Edwards, trustee, teacher and STEM ambassador, said Evergreen would be an inclusive 11-18 school focusing on STEM, sustainability and the environment, creativity, independence and community spirit.
The school would offer pupils a wider range of experience, work experience and individual learning programmes.
Sonia said: “The number of students in Hyndburn attaining Grades A* to C at GCSE level is below the national average.
The traditional education system with its focus on exams does not work for every child.”
School representatives will be at The Great Harwood Show on Monday, May 30 .
No further details of proposed sites for the schools are available.
The New Schools Network Programme provides tailored support to free school groups as they work through the challenging application process demanded by the DfE.
