How we’re expecting the programme to unfold

We set out the shortfall in provision, and a proposal to address it, in our 2025 SEND sufficiency statement. Our full council approved the final programme in February 2026.

Some locations and providers are to be confirmed, but we’re in discussions and will share more as soon as we can.

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Opening Autumn 2026 (160 places)

• Expansion of a specialist Early Years setting (16 places)
• SEND unit for pupils with autism at St Paul’s Junior School, Wokingham (16 places)
• SEND unit for pupils with autism at Walter Infant School, Wokingham (12 places)
• Resource base for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs at Keep Hatch Primary School, Wokingham (14 places)
• SEND unit for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs at Winnersh Primary School (12 places)
• SEND unit for pupils with autism at Waingels College, Woodley (25 places) 
• Resource base for pupils with moderate learning difficulties at Bulmershe School, Woodley (25 places)
• Post-16 Hub at the former Wokingham Library in Denmark Street (40 places)

Opening Autumn 2027 (113 places)

• Expansion of an existing special school (28 places)
• Mainstream inclusion for pupils with autism, primary age (21 places)
• Mainstream inclusion for pupils with moderate learning difficulties, primary age (21 places)
• Mainstream inclusion for pupils with autism, secondary age (35 places)
• Mainstream inclusion for pupils with hearing impairments, secondary age (8 places)

Opening Autumn 2028 (213 places)

• New specialist Early Years setting (16 places)
• Early help SEND hub (general provision)
• New special free school at Rook’s Nest in Finchampstead (120 places)
• Mainstream inclusion for pupils with autism within new Spencers Wood Primary School (14 places)
• Mainstream inclusion for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs, primary age (8 places)
• Mainstream inclusion for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs, secondary age (15 places)
• Post-16 Hub at a location other than Wokingham town (40 places)

Opening Autumn 2029 (135 places)

• Refurbished special free school (about 80 places)
• Mainstream inclusion for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs, secondary age (15 places)
• Post-16 Hub at a location other than Wokingham town (40 places)

In the long term, this should save much more than we initially invest because it will reduce the cost of running services, especially on external placements and home to school transport.

Our SEND services receive funding via the Government’s Safety Valve scheme, which was necessary to address a historic deficit, and we’re expected to reduce reliance on costly independent placements as part of this.