Samuel Ward Academy Trust have been successful in their bid to open a new special free school in Romford.

Having adopted a successful model of partnership-working, support and challenge among both its secondary and primary schools in Suffolk, the Trust was keen to transfer this to special schools in the wider area.

Led by Churchill Academy in Haverhill, which was rated as ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted in July 2015, the Trust bid for the new special free school during a widespread consultation and tendering process last year.

Tim Coulson, Chief Executive of Samuel Ward Academy Trust, said: “We are grateful for the trust placed in us by the local authorities and look forward to working with them and parents to establish an amazing school that will provide the best possible education for children with whom we are proud to have the opportunity to work.

“We will draw on our experience previously of opening a special school and a secondary school and the collective wisdom of an excellent group of headteacher across the Samuel Ward Academy Trust.”

The new school in Romford will link with the ambition to have a small hub of schools in the area alongside St Edward’s Church of England Academy that joins the Trust on 1 April.

The school is due to open in 2020/21. More news and updates will follow in due course.