Nus Ghani, MP for Wealden, has welcomed the opening of The Ropemakers' Academy, a new free school in Hailsham.
The Ropemakers' Academy is an exciting addition to The Beckmead Trust Family of Schools. At full capacity, it will educate and care for 80 pupils aged 4-16, who have been identified as having social, emotional and mental health issues. The school will work collaboratively with the council, local authority, mainstream schools, multi-agencies, families and pupils to deliver an outstanding provision for these vulnerable young people.
For more information, please click here.
The Ropemakers' Academy is one of more than 50 new free schools across the country that have opened their doors at the start of this new school term. The opening of these brand-new schools in September reflects the determination of the Department of Education to build back better from the coronavirus pandemic, and a continued commitment to creating a world-leading education system.
Of the 52 new schools opening in September, fifteen are special schools and one is an Alternative Provision school, creating over 1,000 new places for young people with complex special educational needs who are vulnerable and disadvantaged. With these new schools opening this month, there will be over 550 free schools open across the country, with more than 220 approved to open in the future.
Nus Ghani said: “Every child in this country, irrespective of their background, must have the opportunity to get a world-class education and reach their potential. This includes children with special educational needs and disabilities, and children in alternative provision. Free schools play an important role in our education system, providing a route for creating good school places and giving teachers the freedom to do what works best for their local community. The Ropemakers’ Academy is fully equipped to allow its pupils to flourish and I am delighted that we have this new state-of-the-art school in Wealden.”
See below the coverage of the story in Sussex Express, 18 September 2020.