Elm Court School Expansion

Consultation on the Proposed Expansion of Elm Court Special School

Lambeth Local Authority, in partnership with Elm Court Special School, is seeking your views on a proposal to expand the school’s capacity through the establishment of a satellite site at the former Kings Avenue Primary School.

Background

Elm Court is a successful and highly sought-after special school for pupils aged 11 to 19 with learning difficulties, often with associated social and communication needs, including autism. The school is currently at full capacity and continues to be the first-choice for many families of children with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) in Lambeth. Due to this limited capacity, a number of pupils whose families have requested a place at Elm Court are currently attending specialist placements outside the borough. This can be inconvenient and time consuming for pupils and their families, and often involves transport costs which the Council has to pay.

Proposal Summary

To meet the increasing demand for specialist provision, Lambeth Council and Elm Court propose to create additional places for pupils with SEND by opening a satellite site that would operate as part of Elm Court School.

Key Details

• What: Establish a satellite site of Elm Court Special School

• Where: Former Kings Avenue Primary School site, Lambeth The two sites are approximately 1,338 metres apart in a straight line, with good public transport links including Clarence Avenue / Kings Avenue (Stop A) which is directly adjacent and served by buses 137, 355, 417.

• Why: To expand capacity for pupils with learning difficulties and associated needs

• When: Planned opening in April 2026, with a phased intake of pupils throughout the remainder of the academic year and scope for future growth

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Rationale for Expansion

The need for education for pupils with SEND in Lambeth has grown significantly. This expansion would initially provide 20 additional places As demand continues to rise, there is flexibility to increase places at both the current Elm Court site and the satellite site at King’s Ave. The Kings Avenue site is currently unused following the school’s closure with capacity for and offers a valuable opportunity to expand local provision, reducing reliance on out-of-borough placements and supporting more young people to access high-quality education within their own community.

The expansion would allow Elm Court to maintain its curriculum and ethos, ensuring continuity in care and learning. It aims to empower more young people with SEND to thrive, gain independence, develop life skills, and achieve relevant qualifications.

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Admissions and Curriculum

The satellite site will operate as an integrated part of Elm Court School, and the existing admissions policy will apply.

• All pupils must have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

• Admissions would be managed centrally by Elm Court’s Admission Panel, following referral for a consultation from Lambeth SEND Department.

• The decision on the pupil’s primary site (main school or satellite) would depend on age, need, and curriculum pathway. Please see under the heading “Use of the New Site” below.

Admissions for Other London Boroughs

Elm Court has pupils that live in other London boroughs and the same admission policy would apply. They would need to ask their local SEN department to consult with Lambeth SEN and Elm Court School regarding potential placements.

All referrals would continue to be considered by Elm Court’s Admissions Panel, which determines whether the school can meet the pupil’s needs.

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Use of the New Site

• The satellite site would initially host Elm Court’s sixth form, with students attending both sites based on their curriculum pathway.

• Over time, the site may also be used by Key Stage 4 pupils (years 10 and 11) as needed.

• The school would support pupil movement between the sites and encourage independent travel for older students, where appropriate. School minibuses would be used when pupils need to travel between sites during the school day or staff would accompany pupils who are learning to travel independently either walking between sites or using public transport. Elm Court has trained staff in Independent Travel Training. Decisions regarding the most appropriate method of travel between sites would be based on the individual needs of the pupils and agreed with their parents/carers.

• The provision for the Sixth Form would be enhanced by the establishment of dedicated specialist teaching areas linked specifically to the qualification offer and work experience opportunities. This would include a professional cookery kitchen, hair and beauty salon, music and recording studio, digital media facilities, art and fashion design studio, cycle maintenance workshop, ICT suite, workshops for brick laying, painting and decorating, plastering, animal care area and outdoor areas for horticulture.

• Additional work experience opportunities would be available by the establishment of a student run café, art gallery and shop selling products that are made by students in their enterprise and other lessons.

The curriculum will continue to reflect Elm Court’s intent and offer a programme that is:

• Creative, practical, broad, and balanced

• Focused on personal development

• Designed to prepare pupils for independence and adulthood

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Governance and Leadership

Elm Court is part of the Elm Court Livity Federation, operating under a unified governing body for the Elm Court School and Livity School. The satellite site would be an extension of Elm Court and so would fall under the same governance structure. The practical arrangements would include the following:

• Whole-school activities would be managed across both sites, tailored by age and need.

• Sixth form students would still be based at the satellite site but would continue to access activities and facilities across both locations.

• Staff would work across both sites according to timetable and curriculum.

• The Governing Body would continue to include parents, staff, community members, and local authority representatives, and meet six times per year.

• The Executive Headteacher, Joanna Tarrant, would oversee both sites, supported by a Designated Safeguarding Lead, and the current sixth form lead would be based at the new site. Members of the senior leadership team on rotation would be based at the site.

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Site Development and Facilities

The former Kings Avenue Primary School building is a well-maintained school and is conveniently located, with good transport links and proximity to Elm Court/ other schools and community facilities. It has three separate entrances to the school to help in zoning separate parking area/drop off location for SEN transport. It is a level site with accessible circulation routes, broad enough for people using wheelchairs or sticks. It has had later additions to the school of a two-storey building to the south of the site, and standalone single storey changing room and toilets to the north and south of the site constructed circa 2000.

It has recently had sustainability works carried out by Lambeth as part of Public Sector Decarbonisation Funding Scheme including installation of Air Source Heat Pump and Solar PV panels.

The site and buildings would be adapted using High Needs Provision Capital Funding from Lambeth Council to ensure it is safe and fully accessible for pupils with SEND. It would also be upgraded to meet the needs of secondary and sixth form-aged students.

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We Want Your Views

We welcome feedback from pupils, parents, carers, school staff, professionals, and members of the community as part of this consultation. Your input will help shape the design, delivery, and long-term implementation of the proposed expansion.