A new specialist secondary school for autistic students is set to open in Harrogate after a multi-million-pound investment.
The Department for Education has confirmed that Lighthouse Learning Trust will run the school, following a recommendation from North Yorkshire Council.
The council has invested £2.4 million in the project to provide specialist classrooms, teaching spaces and facilities designed to support children with special educational needs.
The new school will provide education for up to 80 pupils, aged 11 to 19, who have been diagnosed with autism or have identified communication and interaction needs.
It will deliver a broad curriculum in a specialist environment, with a more formal academic offer than is often available in mainstream provision.
The number of children with Educational Health Care Plans (EHCPs) in North Yorkshire has grown from 1,700 in 2015 to more than 6,000 in 2025.
Cllr Annabel Wilkinson, executive member for education, learning and skills, said:
“We want to provide the very best education for all children in North Yorkshire.
“We have a coordinated strategy across the whole county to meet the special educational needs of children. This includes strengthening practice in mainstream schools, developing SEN resource bases and investing in fabulous new facilities such as this one where they are needed.
“The Lighthouse Learning Trust’s existing work gives us real confidence in its ability to deliver high quality specialist education and will be a welcome addition to our community of schools in North Yorkshire.”
Emma Sullivan, principal of Lighthouse Learning Trust, said:
“We are delighted to be confirmed as the academy trust for the new Harrogate special school, bringing more specialist support to autistic young people and their families across the region.”
The trust is working with the Department for Education to complete technical requirements before the school opens.
An opening date will be confirmed in the coming months.
Katie Parlett, founder and chair of governors at the trust, said:
“We are looking forward to working in partnership with the local authority, families, and stakeholders to create a school that meets needs of autistic young people and inspire the brightest of futures.”
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