91ÖÆƬ³§

Wyre Forest Special School is commissioned for 362 full-time equivalent (FTE) pupil places. This proposal is to increase the number of commissioned full-time equivalent places to 398 from January 2026.

Initially, this will not involve a physical expansion of the current building, however, it will involve the siting of two double temporary mobile classrooms in Campus Square, adjacent to the school. These will remain in place whilst 91ÖÆƬ³§County Council progresses projects to create permanent accommodation.

Objectives

The objective of this proposal is to provide additional Special School places in 91ÖÆƬ³§to manage demand. The additional places will be of good quality and in a school which is popular with parents. The additional places will improve educational outcomes for children that require special school places and who are currently in alternative education provision.

Educational standards and diversity of provision

Wyre Forest Special School is graded as a good school by Ofsted. This proposal will increase the number of places available in good quality Special Schools in Worcestershire.

Wyre Forest Special School is located in the Wyre Forest District. The school is one of nine maintained Special Schools in Worcestershire, it has an age range of 4 to 19 years (Reception to YR 14). It is designated as a generic special school categorisation, catering for a variety of needs, including profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD), severe learning difficulties (SLD), and autism (ASD). All pupils attending will have an Education, Health and Care plan (EHCP) that identifies that they require special school education provision. Pupils travel to the school from locations outside of Worcester but mainly within 5 to 10 miles of the school. The majority of Wyre Forests pupils live within the neighbouring districts.

The Governing Body of Wyre Forest Special School has indicated that they wish to increase the number of pupils at the school to help meet demand for special school places and the County Council supports this aim.

Due to rising demand over the last 4 years, there has been a growing number of children taught at the school, formally increasing from 300 to 354 in 2023. In January 2025, the school had 372 pupils on roll. The table below shows the numbers of pupils on roll each January at Wyre Forest over the last 4 years:

91ÖÆƬ³§residents. No negative impact was identified; a positive impact was identified for some pupils currently waiting for special school places.

Community cohesion

Pupils attending Wyre Forest School travel mainly from the local area primarily between 5 and 10 miles from the school. The largest majority of pupils reside in the district of Wyre Forest but pupils also travel from other districts of 91ÖÆƬ³§and from neighbouring Local Authorities. 
Demographic growth and recent housing growth has increased the number of children requiring a place in special schools in Worcestershire. This proposal will ensure that the school can continue to serve local families, keeping the school at the heart of the community.

Travel and accessibility

As with any school expansion there are concerns about the impact of additional children on traffic congestion at the start and end of the school day. The school is proactive in encouraging parents and pupils to use sustainable methods of travel to school. It is anticipated that the majority of pupils will continue to receive transport assistance.

Project costs and Capital Funding

The increase in pupil numbers from 354 to 398 places in September 2025 has been agreed by the school.

Additional teaching space will be created, temporarily, by siting two double mobile classrooms in Campus Square, adjacent to the school. 91ÖÆƬ³§County Council has agreed a project to create permanent additional teaching space. These costs are being met from the High Needs Provision capital allocation.

The revenue funding will be found as part of the High Needs Dedicated Schools Grant. Each full-time equivalent place will be funded at £10,000 plus the top up funding required for individual pupils (where appropriate) based on the High Needs bandings submitted by the school to the Local Authority. Some pupils may move from mainstream schools into these places, although this is unlikely to generate any savings.

School premises and playing fields

Many regulations relating to school premises, including the level of playing field provision, have been dissolved or slimmed down by the Department for Education. Guidelines set out suggested areas for outdoor space but these are non-statutory. The County Council will make what it considers reasonable provision of outside space to support the learning and achievement needs of the children attending the school, taking account of site-specific factors in each case.

Implementation

If approved, this proposal will be implemented by the County Council working in partnership with the Governing Body. The increase in FTE places will start from January 2026.

You can respond to this consultation in the following ways.

In writing, anyone wishing to make a response to this proposal should write to:

Education Sufficiency and Place Planning Team
Wyre Forest School Proposal 
91ÖÆƬ³§County Council
County Hall
Spetchley Road
Worcester WR5 2NP

Email: SPP@worcestershire.gov.uk 

Responses can also be made directly to Wyre Forest School.

Habberley Road
Kidderminster
DY11 6FA

Email: office@wfs.worcs.sch.uk 

Responses must be received by Monday 1 December 2025.

Any comments on the proposal will be taken into account by the decision maker. If there are objections to the proposal then these will be considered on behalf of the County Council by the Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Education and Special Education Needs before a final decision is made on whether to proceed with the proposal. If there are no objections to this proposal, the final decision will be made by the Director of Children’s Services, 91ÖÆƬ³§County Council.