Rainham Brittons Academy SEND Plans Rainham 2026

Key Points

• The Brittons Academy, located in Ford Lane, Rainham, has proposed establishing a new special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) unit, potentially becoming the fifth secondary school in the Havering borough to offer such a provision.​
• The unit is designed to cater for 24 pupils specifically with communication and interaction needs.
• If approved, the SEND unit will open in September 2026 within the school’s existing buildings, utilising spare capacity without requiring new construction.
• The unit will feature a “variety of sized teaching spaces” situated on the ground floor, complete with its “own dedicated entrance”.
• According to the consultation document prepared by the school’s trust, Empower Learning Academy Trust, it is “not envisaged that the new unit will impact negatively on other pupils”.
• Admissions to the SEND unit will be managed through the established Havering SEND Education, Health and Care (EHC) panel process, ensuring no effect on mainstream admissions at the school.

Rainham (East London Times) February 23, 2026 – The Brittons Academy in Ford Lane has unveiled plans to launch a dedicated special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) unit for 24 pupils with communication and interaction needs, marking a significant step if approved to become the fifth such provision in Havering borough. The proposal, detailed in a consultation document by Empower Learning Academy Trust, leverages existing school buildings and spare capacity, with an anticipated opening in September 2026. This development aims to address local demand without disrupting mainstream education, as admissions will follow the Havering SEND Education, Health and Care panel process.​

What Is the Proposed SEND Unit at The Brittons Academy?

The Brittons Academy’s initiative centres on creating a specialised unit tailored for pupils facing communication and interaction challenges, a common category under SEND provisions. As outlined in the trust’s consultation document, the unit will occupy ground-floor spaces repurposed from existing areas, incorporating a range of teaching room sizes to suit diverse learning requirements. A key feature is the provision of a dedicated entrance, enhancing accessibility and privacy for SEND pupils.

Empower Learning Academy Trust emphasises that the setup will use spare capacity, avoiding any structural alterations or additional costs for new builds. The document explicitly states that it is “not envisaged that the new unit will impact negatively on other pupils”, underscoring a commitment to maintaining the quality of mainstream education. This approach aligns with broader efforts in Havering to integrate SEND support within secondary schools, building on four existing units across the borough.​

Rainham, a community within Havering, has seen growing calls for enhanced SEND facilities amid national pressures on special education resources. The Brittons Academy, a mainstream secondary school, positions this unit as a responsive measure to local needs identified through consultations.

Why Is The Brittons Academy Proposing This SEND Unit Now?

The timing of the proposal reflects ongoing demands for SEND provisions in Havering, where secondary schools are increasingly tasked with supporting complex needs locally rather than relying on distant specialist settings. Empower Learning Academy Trust’s consultation document highlights spare capacity at The Brittons Academy as an ideal opportunity, allowing the unit to open as early as September 2026 if planning approvals proceed smoothly.

Havering’s SEND landscape has evolved, with four secondary schools already hosting similar units, prompting this expansion to the fifth. The trust’s document notes that the initiative responds to borough-wide assessments of pupil needs, particularly in communication and interaction – areas encompassing conditions like autism spectrum disorders and speech difficulties. By situating the unit within a mainstream environment, the school aims to foster inclusion while providing targeted support.

Local education authorities, including the Havering SEND Education, Health and Care panel, play a pivotal role in admissions, ensuring placements align with individual EHC plans. This process safeguards mainstream intake numbers, addressing potential concerns from parents of non-SEND pupils.

How Will the SEND Unit Be Structured and Operated?

The physical layout of the proposed unit prioritises functionality and independence. According to Empower Learning Academy Trust’s consultation document, it will comprise “a variety of sized teaching spaces” on the ground floor, facilitating small-group instruction, one-to-one sessions, and sensory activities tailored to communication needs. The inclusion of a dedicated entrance further supports seamless access, reducing interactions with the wider school population during peak times.

Operationally, the unit will integrate with the school’s existing resources while maintaining distinct staffing and curricula adapted for SEND pupils. The trust assures that spare capacity utilisation means no reduction in mainstream facilities, preserving spaces for general teaching. Admissions remain strictly via the Havering SEND panel, which reviews EHC plans to match pupils to appropriate settings without competing against standard Year 7 allocations.

This model mirrors successful integrations in Havering’s other four SEND units, where specialist support enhances outcomes without compromising overall school performance. The Brittons Academy anticipates no negative ripple effects, as reiterated in the document: “not envisaged that the new unit will impact negatively on other pupils”.​

What Is the Role of Empower Learning Academy Trust?

Empower Learning Academy Trust, the governing body for The Brittons Academy, has spearheaded the proposal through a detailed consultation document. The trust’s involvement ensures alignment with multi-academy standards, drawing on expertise from its network to design the SEND unit. Their statement on non-impact to other pupils reflects rigorous capacity planning, a hallmark of trust-led initiatives.

As reported in the consultation materials, the trust has engaged stakeholders, including parents, staff, and local authorities, to shape the proposal. This collaborative approach is standard for academy trusts under Department for Education guidelines, prioritising evidence-based expansions. Empower Learning Academy Trust’s track record in Rainham positions it well to deliver, with the unit set to bolster the school’s inclusive ethos.

Which Pupils Will the SEND Unit Support?

The unit targets 24 pupils with communication and interaction needs, a SEND category often linked to conditions such as specific language impairments, pragmatic language disorders, and aspects of autism. These pupils typically require structured environments to develop social skills, speech, and interaction alongside academic progress. Placement will be determined solely by the Havering SEND Education, Health and Care panel, ensuring suitability via EHC assessments.

This focus addresses a prevalent gap in secondary provisions, where communication challenges can hinder transition from primary education. By capping at 24 places, the unit maintains manageable class sizes, promoting intensive support without overwhelming resources.

How Does This Fit into Havering’s SEND Landscape?

Havering currently operates four secondary school SEND units, making The Brittons Academy’s proposal the fifth. This expansion responds to rising EHC plan applications borough-wide, driven by post-pandemic needs and demographic shifts. The Havering SEND panel’s oversight ensures equitable distribution, preventing oversubscription.

Rainham’s location in east Havering enhances accessibility for local families, reducing travel burdens associated with out-of-borough placements. The initiative aligns with national drives for mainstream integration, as promoted by the Department for Education’s SEND improvement plans.

What Happens Next in the Approval Process?

The proposal advances through public consultation, a mandatory step for SEND unit establishments. Feedback from parents, staff, and the community will inform revisions before submission to Havering Council and the Department for Education. If approved, operational readiness targets September 2026, coinciding with the new academic year.

Empower Learning Academy Trust invites input via specified channels outlined in their document, emphasising transparency. The Havering SEND panel’s role in admissions remains unchanged, providing continuity.

Will This Affect Mainstream Pupils at The Brittons Academy?

The consultation document firmly states no adverse impact: “not envisaged that the new unit will impact negatively on other pupils”. Spare capacity and separate entrance mitigate overlaps, while panel-led admissions protect Year 7 places. This reassurance echoes experiences from Havering’s existing units, where mainstream attainment has held steady.

Parents of mainstream pupils can engage in consultations to voice concerns, ensuring balanced decision-making.

Broader Implications for Rainham Families?

For Rainham families, the unit promises local access to specialised support, easing logistical strains. It reflects Havering’s proactive stance amid national SEND funding debates, potentially serving as a model for neighbouring boroughs. As the fifth unit, it signals sustained investment in inclusive education.