Elm Court School Expansion

Lambeth Council are seeking to expand the very popular Elm Court Special School from 150 places to 210 places via the use of the former Kings Avenue Primary School site.

Elm Court Special School is a successful and highly sought-after special school for pupils aged 11 to 19 who have learning difficulties, often with associated social and communication needs, including autism. The school is currently at full capacity, with insufficient places available to meet the needs of local children and their families, despite continuing to be the first-choice school for many.

We have previously consulted with parents, carers, staff, pupils and residents regarding the proposal to expand the school, and you can see the results of that in the Phase 1 report below.

Following that initial consultation a decision has now been taken to publish a formal proposal to expand the school and interested parties are invited to support, object or comment on this via the online survey on this page. The consultation will be open from Friday 21 November to midday Friday 19 December 2025.

The final decision will then be taken early in 2026.

Phases

Phases overview

Elm Court School Expansion Survey

Elm Court School Expansion Phase 1 Report

Formal proposal to expand Elm Court School

Elm Court School Expansion Phase 2 Report

Elm Court School Expansion Phase 1 Report

22 October 2025 - 13 November 2025

This is a report into the outcome of the initial engagement carried out in September 2025.

Phase 1 Report

A member of staff at Elm Court

47.3% (43 choices)

A parent/carer of a child with SEND

27.5% (25 choices)

A pupil at Elm Court

19.8% (18 choices)

A local resident

14.3% (13 choices)

A parent/carer of a child without SEND

3.3% (3 choices)

No answer

2.2% (2 choices)

A young person (aged 16 or over) without SEND

1.1% (1 choice)

A member of a community group or organisation

1.1% (1 choice)

A young person (aged 16 or over) with SEND

0% (0 choices)

Other

4.4% (4 choices)

No answer

33% (30 choices)

Not applicable

26.4% (24 choices)

11-14

19.8% (18 choices)

15-19

13.2% (12 choices)

5-10

5.5% (5 choices)

20+

4.4% (4 choices)

0-4

2.2% (2 choices)

No answer

37.4% (34 choices)

Yes

27.5% (25 choices)

Not applicable

27.5% (25 choices)

7.7% (7 choices)

Not sure

0% (0 choices)

Not applicable

35.2% (32 choices)

No answer

33% (30 choices)

16.5% (15 choices)

Yes - I have an EHCP

13.2% (12 choices)

Yes - I have SEND but no EHCP

1.1% (1 choice)

Prefer not to say

1.1% (1 choice)

Staff member

34.1% (31 choices)

No answer

19.8% (18 choices)

Current pupil

18.7% (17 choices)

Family of current pupil

13.2% (12 choices)

No direct connection

9.9% (9 choices)

Considering applying for my child to join the school

3.3% (3 choices)

Former pupil

0% (0 choices)

Family of former pupil

0% (0 choices)

Other

1.1% (1 choice)

Yes

82.4% (75 choices)

Not sure

7.7% (7 choices)

No answer

5.5% (5 choices)

4.4% (4 choices)

Strongly agree

76.9% (70 choices)

No answer

12.1% (11 choices)

Agree

6.6% (6 choices)

Neither agree nor disagree

2.2% (2 choices)

Disagree

1.1% (1 choice)

Strongly disagree

1.1% (1 choice)

Strongly support

83.5% (76 choices)

Support

5.5% (5 choices)

Neither support nor do not support

3.3% (3 choices)

Strongly do not support

3.3% (3 choices)

No answer

3.3% (3 choices)

Do not support

1.1% (1 choice)

Strongly agree

51.6% (47 choices)

No answer

20.9% (19 choices)

Agree

17.6% (16 choices)

Neither agree nor disagree

6.6% (6 choices)

Strongly disagree

2.2% (2 choices)

Disagree

1.1% (1 choice)

Female

54.9% (50 choices)

Male

35.2% (32 choices)

Prefer not to say

6.6% (6 choices)

No answer

3.3% (3 choices)

I use another term (for example, non-binary)

0% (0 choices)

79.1% (72 choices)

No answer

15.4% (14 choices)

Prefer not to say

5.5% (5 choices)

Yes

0% (0 choices)

45-54

24.2% (22 choices)

35-44

18.7% (17 choices)

No answer

15.4% (14 choices)

Under 18

13.2% (12 choices)

55-64

13.2% (12 choices)

25-34

7.7% (7 choices)

Prefer not to say

5.5% (5 choices)

18-24

2.2% (2 choices)

65-74

0% (0 choices)

75-84

0% (0 choices)

85+

0% (0 choices)

Heterosexual/straight

59.3% (54 choices)

No answer

19.8% (18 choices)

Prefer not to say

12.1% (11 choices)

Don't know

4.4% (4 choices)

Gay/lesbian

3.3% (3 choices)

1.1% (1 choice)

I use another term

0% (0 choices)

Asian or Asian British - Bangladeshi

0% (0 choices)

Asian or Asian British - Chinese

0% (0 choices)

Gypsy or Irish Traveller

0% (0 choices)

Asian or Asian British - Indian

0% (0 choices)

Asian or Asian British - Pakistani

0% (0 choices)

Arab or Arab British

0% (0 choices)

Asian or Asian British and White

0% (0 choices)

Polish

1.1% (1 choice)

Any other Asian background

1.1% (1 choice)

Latin American/Latinx or Latin American and British

1.1% (1 choice)

Any other Black/African/Caribbean background

1.1% (1 choice)

Black or Black British (Caribbean) and White

2.2% (2 choices)

Irish

2.2% (2 choices)

Black or Black British (African) and White

3.3% (3 choices)

Portuguese

4.4% (4 choices)

Any other Mixed/multiple ethnic background

5.5% (5 choices)

Black or Black British - Caribbean

11% (10 choices)

Black or Black British - African

13.2% (12 choices)

White - English/Welsh/Scottish/Northern Irish/British

25.3% (23 choices)

No answer

25.3% (23 choices)

Any other ethnic group

3.3% (3 choices)

52.7% (48 choices)

No answer

29.7% (27 choices)

Prefer not to say

9.9% (9 choices)

Yes

7.7% (7 choices)

Elm Court School Expansion

Phases

Elm Court School Expansion Phase 1 Report

Phase 1 Report

I am

If you are a parent or carer, what is the age of your child or children?

If you are a parent/carer, does your child/children have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)?

If you are aged 16 or over and are not a parent/carer, do you have special educational needs or an EHCP?

What is your connection to Elm Court Special School?

Are you aware that Elm Court Special School is currently at full capacity (this means children can only join the school when other children leave)?

To what extent do you agree that there is a need to increase the number of special school places for children and young people with SEND in Lambeth?

To what extent do you support the proposal to open a satellite site of Elm Court at the former Kings Avenue School site?

Please give reasons for your answer

To what extent do you agree that the former Kings Avenue School site is a suitable location for a new SEND satellite school?

Please give reasons for your answer

If there are any facilities or features you feel should be included in a new site to support pupils with SEND, please tell us about them here

What are your thoughts on the proposed January 2026 opening with a staggered increase in pupil numbers?

If the proposal goes ahead, what would help ensure a smooth transition for pupils and staff to the satellite site?

If you have any other comments, suggestions or concerns about this proposal, please tell us about them here

What best describes your gender?

Do you consider yourself to be trans? (Trans is an umbrella term to describe people whose gender is not the same as, or does not sit comfortably with, the sex they were assigned at birth)

Which age group applies to you?

Which best describes your sexual orientation?

What is your race or ethnic group?

Do you consider yourself to have a disability or long-term health condition?