Purpose

A proposal has been developed by Bristol City Council to increase the number of places available at two special schools (Special Educational Needs and/or Disability (SEND) provisions) in the city in response to demand.
In accordance with Section 19(1) of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 (as amended by the Education Act 2011) and the School Organisation (Prescribed Alterations to Maintained Schools) (England) Regulations 2013, Bristol City Council has proposed changes to:
- Briarwood School, to increase the number of places from 168 to 234, (66 places) including the establishment of Throgmorton House as a satellite site to be known as Briarwood South. The satellite site will be located at 10a Throgmorton Road, Knowle West, Bristol, BS4 1HR. The provision is due to open September 2026.
- Kingsweston School, to increase the number of places from 180 to 201, (31 places) which includes places for 21 students moving from Claremont School to Kingsweston School at the start of Term 2 26/27 as a result of the Claremont School decant which is part of the Bristol City Council Education Capital Programme.
The SEN designation of the provisions will be inclusive of children with Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC), Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD), Profound and Moderate Learning Difficulties (PMLD) and Generic Learning Difficulties, to support the needs of children who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). The schools will receive children with SEN from the local area, not limited to the school’s mainstream catchment.
The relevant proposals were consulted on for 4 weeks from 16th June 2026 until 14th July 2026 and in reaching a decision the consultation responses were taken into account.

Decision

To increase the number of places from 168 to 234, (66 places) at Briarwood School including the establishment of Throgmorton House as a satellite site to be known as Briarwood South. The satellite site will be located at 10a Throgmorton Road, Knowle West, Bristol, BS4 1HR.
To increase the number of places from 180 to 201 (31 places) at Kingsweston School, including 21 students moving from Claremont School to Kingsweston School at the start of Term 2 26/27 as a result of the Claremont School decant which is part of the Bristol City Council Education Capital Programme.

Alternative options considered

N/A