Solent Academies TrustAnnouncements
New Complex SEND School - Omega Centre, Southsea
Plans have been agreed, in principle, for the Omega Centre in Southsea to become a new special school for children with severe and complex special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) - to be run by the Solent Academies Trust (SAT) as part of the Mary Rose Academy.
The proposed redevelopment of the Omega Centre will return the building to a school use as was its original designation when it first opened its doors as the Omega Street School in 1882. The new provision is due to open to students in September 2027 and will be able to support approximately 90 secondary and post 16 young people in the city. Plans for the new school, which will retain most of the existing buildings, are currently being drawn up and the work will be funded, and the project managed by the council.
Sharon Burt, Chief Executive of Solent Academies Trust said: “We are delighted to have this exciting opportunity to work closely with Portsmouth City Council to expand further our specialist provision at Mary Rose Academy. The increased demand for specialist places is high for pupils across the age ranges and this new opportunity will not only provide places for secondary and post 16, it will also release spaces for younger pupils at both Mary Rose Academy and Cliffdale Primary Academy that are currently required to accommodate secondary pupils at the Mary Rose Compass Campus.
Faye Watton- Lawrence, Executive Principal Mary Rose Academy said: “We are delighted to be expanding the outstanding education available at Mary Rose Academy to an additional campus. Our vision “It’s got to be possible!” underpins our dedication to ensuring that young people with SEND receive the very best opportunities to thrive and to achieve great things, at home, school and in their community. The addition of Omega to our family of schools will futureproof our aspirational offer for our incredible pupils - we can’t wait to get started!
New SLD Free School - Windmill Academy
Solent Academies Trust are delighted to announce they will be welcoming a second new Free School to its wider network of schools, which will open in Summer 2027.
Windmill Academy, is intended to provide accommodation for up to 135 children aged four to nineteen with severe learning difficulties.
Councillor Steve Forster, the County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, said: “The County Council has a statutory duty to ensure all children can access high-quality education, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). This is an area that has seen immense pressure over several years, with an increasing number of children requiring SEND provision. We remain committed to further developing this across the county to respond to growing demand, creating much needed additional SEND school places.
We are delighted that our application for a new special school in Hampshire has been provisionally approved by the DfE and we will be working closely with the department to progress this through the next steps in the process, including determining a suitable location and timeframes.”
Commenting on its appointment as the academy sponsor for the planned new special school in Whiteley, Sharon Burt, Chief Executive Officer said “We are incredibly excited to have approval to lead the new special free school for pupils with Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD). There is an increasingly high demand on specialist places locally and we want to continue our close working with families, schools, and local authorities in surrounding communities to ensure that children remain educated locally, with access to high quality specialist education. .
Andrew Hill, Chair of Trustees said “We are absolutely delighted to have been selected to run what I know will be a wonderful new school for children with additional needs. This opportunity sits squarely within our long-term plans to expand our footprint in SEND education and build on the learning and experience, developed over many years, from our existing schools. We are also looking forward to working alongside the other excellent schools in the locality to play our part in providing an excellent educational offer for the area”.
New Special SEMH Free School - Luminous Oak Academy
Luminous Oak Academy provides places for up to 125 children aged 8 to 16 with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs, helping more children access specialist education closer to home.
Why is this important to children, young people, parents and carers?
- It helps meet the growing demand for specialist school places locally and nationally.
- Children can attend a school within their local community.
- Young people can build and maintain friendships closer to home.
- Reduced travel times mean more time for learning, family life and activities they enjoy.
- Families have greater choice in accessing specialist provision.
- There is more choice for families
A free school is a state-funded academy that operates independently of the local authority. Free schools are not-for-profit institutions and can be established by a range of organisations, including charities, universities, educational trusts and independent schools.
Since opening, Luminous Oak Academy has worked closely with families, the local community and Hampshire County Council to provide high-quality specialist education, supporting pupils to thrive both in school and beyond.
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