A major milestone has been reached in plans to open a new independent special school in Wakefield, as Nostell Estate and Venn Academy Trust have signed a lease agreement for the site.

The school will be based at the former Wakefield Independent School site at Nostell, bringing the building back into use for education and creating a valuable resource for local families.

It will provide 90–120 specialist places for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), giving families access to high-quality education closer to home and reducing reliance on expensive out-of-area placements.

Coun Margaret Isherwood, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “This partnership is an important step forward in improving specialist provision for children and young people with SEND.

Left to right: Lord St. Oswald, Nostell Estate, Louise Lupton, Head of Service Access to Education, Wakefield Council, Coun Isherwood, Rebecca Broadbent, Director of Finance, Venn Academy Trust, Dr Simon Witham, Trust Lead and Accounting Officer, Venn Academy Trust, Peter Molyneux, Estate Director, Nostell Estate

placeholder image — Left to right: Lord St. Oswald, Nostell Estate, Louise Lupton, Head of Service Access to Education, Wakefield Council, Coun Isherwood, Rebecca Broadbent, Director of Finance, Venn Academy Trust, Dr Simon Witham, Trust Lead and Accounting Officer, Venn Academy Trust, Peter Molyneux, Estate Director, Nostell Estate

"It means more families will have access to high-quality education closer to home, and it shows our commitment to finding innovative solutions that work for Wakefield.

“We know there is still more to do, but this is a positive move that will make a real difference for many families and help us build stronger local provision for the future.”

Wakefield Council has invested capital funds to enable this partnership and will continue to work closely with Venn Academy Trust and Nostell Estate to ensure the school opens as soon as possible.

Lord St Oswald of Nostell Estate said: “This is a marvellous result for everyone, especially the local children whose educational needs will be so well served in the refurbished premises at Nostell.”

Dr Simon Witham, Trust Lead and Accounting Officer at Venn Academy Trust, said: “This partnership gives Wakefield a solution it has needed for a long time. This is a sustainable model that strengthens the district, reduces reliance on out of area placements and, above all, puts children and their needs at the centre of the system.”

This development is part of a wider journey to improve SEND provision across the district, ensuring more children can learn and thrive in settings that meet their needs.

Demand for SEND places is rising nationally, and councils everywhere are under pressure to find sustainable solutions.

This partnership is Wakefield’s way of meeting that challenge locally and making a real difference for families.