Key Points
- Plans submitted for Balgores School, a new special education needs and disabilities (SEND) school in Gidea Park, Havering.
- The school will cater for 300 pupils aged 4-19 with SEND.
- The facility will include a sports hall, therapy pool, outdoor play space, and multi-use sports pitch.
- The project is fully funded by the Department for Education through a grant.
- The new school aims to reduce the need for Havering children to travel outside the borough for SEND education.
- Galliford Try and Haverstock Architects appointed as construction and design leads.
- Local community consultations have taken place, with further public consultation planned.
- Some concerns raised over loss of playing fields, parking, and traffic management.
- Expected opening of the new school is September 2027.
- The project is expected to bring financial savings by reducing social care budget pressure.
What is the new Gidea Park school planning application about?
As reported by Katie Jeffs of the Romford Recorder, plans have been submitted for a new 300-pupil special education needs and disabilities (SEND) school named Balgores School, to be located on Balgores Field in Gidea Park, Havering. This state-of-the-art facility is designed for children aged 4 to 19 years and will include features such as outdoor play space, a sports hall, a stage, and a therapy pool, aiming to meet the diverse needs of SEND pupils.
The site will also be developed for community use outside of school hours, enhancing its value to the local neighbourhood. The project is currently undergoing validation by Havering’s Local Planning Authority, which includes a statutory 21-day public consultation period with neighbours and the wider community before a final decision is made by the strategic planning committee later in the year.
Who are leading the design and construction of the school?
According to reports, the £2 million design and build contract was awarded to Galliford Try via the Southern Construction Framework in late 2024, with Haverstock Architects leading the design team. Gavin Bridge, Managing Director at Galliford Try Building Southern, told Havering Daily that the company has been working closely with the London Borough of Havering and the Astrum Multi Academy Trust over the past 10 months to bring the vision of a much-needed SEND school to life.
Claire Barton, partner at Haverstock Architects, expressed excitement about the project, describing it as one of the first large special schools in the country designed to foster creativity, independence, and community integration for children and their families. Lara Parr, CEO of Astrum Multi Academy Trust, which will run the school, highlighted their enthusiasm for the facility’s design and its potential to deliver 300 SEND places and community use.
What community concerns have emerged about the school plans?
The proposed development has prompted concerns, especially regarding the permanent loss of playing fields at Balgores Field. Sebastian Mann, a local democracy reporter writing for Havering Daily, detailed that Sports England has lodged a fundamental objection to the scheme due to this loss. Labour councillor Jane Keane commented that the playing field should not be lost, citing issues with obesity in the borough as a reason to retain open space.
Parking and traffic also feature as significant concerns. Conservative group leader Keith Prince noted residents’ support for the SEND school but voiced “very grave concern” about parking arrangements. The plans allocate 41 parking bays for staff, and pupils will be dropped off and collected by minibuses or guardians. However, the narrowness of Balgores Lane, where two buses cannot pass each other, raises worries about traffic management. Transport for London has recommended reducing parking bays to encourage less car use, aligning with a wider London campaign on sustainable transport.
How will the school benefit the local community and council?
Councillor Oscar Ford, Havering Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, shared with Romford Recorder that the new school will bring a “much-needed facility” to the borough. He emphasised that it will mean Havering pupils can be educated locally, reducing travel times and fostering social connections near their homes.
The new SEND provision is fully funded by a Department for Education grant, which will alleviate the council’s financial burden related to travel and social care. The council has been facing a £74 million budget gap exacerbated by funding SEND children to attend out-of-borough specialist schools. The Balgores School is expected to ease these pressures and bring cost savings while improving educational outcomes and community wellbeing.
What are the next steps and timeline for the new Gidea Park school?
The planning application remains under review, and the statutory public consultation with surrounding residents and community stakeholders is expected imminently. After completion of the consultation, the plans will be presented to Havering’s Strategic Planning Committee for a decision, anticipated before the end of 2025.
