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Opinions sought on new specialist autism school in Harrogate

Monday, 19 January 2026 09:22

A specialist autism school is planned for the former Woodfield Primary School site.

A public consultation is taking place on plans to open a new specialist autism school in Harrogate.

Lighthouse Education Trust has been approved by North Yorkshire Council as the preferred provider to run the proposed school, to be known as Lighthouse School Harrogate.

The school is planned for the site of the former Woodfield Primary School.

The consultation survey opened online last month and will close on 3rd February 2026.

It forms part of the statutory pre-opening process and is seeking views from parents, carers, local residents, schools and the wider community.

Katherine Atkinson, Chief Finance and Opperations Officer at Lighthouse School, said:

"Initial feedback is very positive, however participants feel the existence of the consultation is not widely known and more parents and carers in particular may wish to contribute."

Lighthouse School Harrogate is proposed as a special free school for up to 80 autistic children and young people aged 11 to 19.

Places would be allocated by North Yorkshire Council through Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).

The school would offer a curriculum spanning Key Stages 3, 4 and 5, alongside additional support tailored to students’ individual needs.

The Trust says the school’s approach would be built around four main areas: curriculum, wellbeing, speech and language therapy and communication, and skills and experience to support future education, employment and independent living.

As part of the consultation, an in-person event is scheduled for Wednesday (21st January) from 6.30pm to 8pm in the Council Chamber at the Harrogate Civic Centre.

Those wishing to attend either event are asked to confirm by emailing harrogateschoolpublicconsultation@lighthouseschool.co.uk.

Find out more about the consultation here.

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