A consultation has been launched by Essex County Council in a bid to expand the number of school places for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) on Canvey.
The council, working with Northwick Park Academy Trust, plans to create up to 40 new SEND places by summer 2026.
The expansion would see an unused building on the site of William Read School repurposed as a satellite site for Castledon School in Wickford, part of the Zenith Multi Academy Trust.
The building, no longer required for mainstream education, will undergo refurbishment to meet the needs of children with severe learning difficulties.
Capital funding has already been secured for the project, which aims to help ease the growing demand for specialist school places across Essex.
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While existing pupils will continue to be taught at Castledon’s Wickford base, the new facility would particularly benefit families living on or near Canvey.
Plans also include the construction of a new reception area and a fenced boundary between the schools, with separate entrances and car parking to ensure pupils have dedicated facilities.
The consultation, which runs from Monday, September 22, to Monday, October 20, has been shared with parents and key stakeholders.
Feedback will help shape a submission to the Department for Education.
Tony Ball, Essex County Council’s councillor responsible for education excellence, lifelong learning and employability, said: “This is a great opportunity to offer much-needed places for more children with SEND.
"I thank Northwick Park Academy Trust and Zenith Multi Academy Trust for their work in making this possible
"We encourage parents and stakeholders to share their views so we can put forward a compelling case to the Department for Education, with the aim of bringing this new site live in summer 2026."
Andy Hodgkinson, CEO of Zenith, added: "We very much understand the demand for special school places, and the pressures facing families.
"Therefore, working closely with Essex County Council, we hope this proposal, if approved, will make a real difference to pupils’ chances in life, building on Castledon School’s recognised outstanding practice."
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