Published on
18 March 2026
Provider appointed for new Post-16 SEND Hub
The decision was approved last night (19 March) by the council’s decision-making executive
Wokingham Borough Council have appointed Activate Learning as the lead provider for the new post-16 Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) hub in Denmark Street. The decision was approved last night (Thursday 19 March) by the council’s decision-making executive.
Activate Learning are an award-winning education and training group with colleges in Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Surrey. They work with students as individuals, helping them make the choice of career pathway or course that is right for them and their ambitions.
The estimated contract value for the initial five-year period, plus the potential two-year extension, is £4.65 million in top-up funding, met from the High Needs Block of the Dedicated Schools Grant.
The new project will see the upper floor of the former Wokingham Library transformed into a state-of-the-art learning environment, redefining how young people with barriers to learning are supported in their transition into adulthood, employment and independent life.
About the hub
The hub will support up to 40 young people aged 16 to 25 years old who:
- have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
- are moving into Year 12 and may have faced additional barriers to education or future opportunities for training and employment (e.g. difficult life experiences, learning needs or mental health challenges)
- need extra support to build their skills and reach their potential and to prepare for adulthood
It will offer a bespoke curriculum tailored to each individual, with three pathways designed to help learners thrive in a programme shaped around their needs and aspirations.
Partnership working
Executive Member for Children’s Services and Deputy Leader of the Council Cllr Prue Bray said: “The new Post-16 SEND Hub is fantastic news for young people who have autism, learning difficulties and mental health needs. It will support and enrich their lives through education, vocational training and essential, independent living skills.
“Partnership is important to the council and we are looking forward to working with Activate Learning to deliver this much-needed hub in the heart of Wokingham. By having the hub local, it ensures young people can access specialist provision closer to home, while also reducing out of borough placements which will save the council money.”
Michelle Parks, Group Director of Lifeskills at Activate Learning, said: “We are incredibly proud to be selected as a lead partner in developing this new Post-16 Hub.
“At Activate Learning, we know that many young people thrive when education is shaped around their individual strengths, needs and ambitions.
“This innovative model, bringing together academic pathways, vocational learning and personalised pastoral and therapeutic support, will transform opportunities for learners who have previously struggled to access traditional routes.
“By creating a truly bespoke curriculum offer, we can better equip our young people with the confidence, skills, and experiences they need to move more quickly and successfully into meaningful employment.”
Gary Headland DL, Chief Executive of Activate Learning, said: “Activate Learning is deeply committed to supporting our local communities and – subject to formal approval of the final business case – we are proud to be progressing this exciting partnership.
"The Wokingham Post-16 SEND Hub is a highly innovative partnership and reflects what can be achieved through strong collaboration between education and local authorities. Together, we are creating a connected, supportive environment around each young person.
"Underpinned by our Learning Philosophy – focusing on the brain, motivation, and emotions – this hub will deliver personalised, human-centred learning that builds confidence, independence and real-world readiness.
"This is more than a new provision; it is a shared commitment to unlocking potential and enabling every learner to thrive within their community.”
The announcement follows on from the council submitting plans for the new post-16 SEND hub earlier this year.
Capital funding for the redevelopment of the former library site, where the Hub will be located, has already been approved by the council’s executive. £1.5 million for this project will be funded through the Department for Education’s SEND Capital Grant.
Next steps
A decision on planning will come later this year. Initial works onsite, which are not subject to planning permission, started last month (February).
The new hub is expected to open to its first cohort of learners this September, with a plan to grow the number of learners from 12 to at least 40 by 2028.
The new hub supports the council’s statutory SEND Sufficiency Strategy and a programme of projects to develop and roll out SEND and resource units throughout Wokingham Borough due to local, growing demand.
