I would like to know what decision WBC have made regarding the 2 x 120 pupil SEND Schools planned to be built upon Field No1 of Rooks Nest Farm.

1. DfE Options for Delivery re: 11th Dec 2025 does not define or indicate WBC's decision on how they wish to proceed. I wish to know if a decision has been made and if not what is the logical or most likely option that WBC will make?
As this land was designated and formally agreed with the DfE when they put WBC into Wave 2 of the Safety Valve Programme and secured its agreement in January 2023 thus requiring WBC to expand local provision the following applies: The DfE will not sign off WBC's Safety Valve Agreement unless the council demonstrate a credible plan to expand local SEND capacity.
As the DfE's own Safety Valve guidance states that the programme is for councils with the highest DSG deficits, requiring substantial plans for reform to reach sustainability.
So, the DfE's logic was simple: IF WBC builds the two NEW 120 pupil SEND Schools, then the deficit falls! BUT if WBC does NOT then the deficit continues to explode!
This is why the DfE agreed to fund the schools.
If the Option of settlement of £6.48 million per school over three years starting in the summer of 2026 is taken, and WBC can choose different options for each school, the SEND School development can proceed. Even if there was a development shortfall ? the annual increase in SEND children requiring school places this close to Wokingham town plus the financial saving on pupil transport would be very significant.
The WBC decision regarding the option it is pursuing in relation to the Special Free Schools is set out in the 26 February Executive decision, available at the following link:
https://wokingham.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?AIId=49607

2. Should the politically implausible decision be not to proceed with SEND School development on Field No1 then what is the intended use of not only Field No1 but also No2 & 3....and the derelict farmyard. It has not gone unnoticed that Rooks Nest Farm has since its last tenant in September 2019 been reduced to fields Nos 2 and 3 which only total 7.22 hectare. Plus the recent sale of the two Rooks Nest Farm tenant dwellings Nos 10 & 20 Barkham Ride remove the final definition of a tenant farm.
Wokingham Borough Council is reviewing the long term use of the wider Rooks Nest Farm site to ensure it provides best value for residents and supports future service needs. This includes Fields 1, 2 and 3, as well as the former farmyard area.
As the Executive has now approved the proposal to deliver one SEND school on the site, the remaining land is being reviewed to determine whether it is required for other service uses or should remain in agricultural or alternative interim use.
Currently no decisions have been made.