The council has launched a public consultation on plans to create a new 40-place special school for children aged 4 to 11 with Moderate and Additional Learning Difficulties (MALD) and other complex special educational needs.

The proposal forms part of the council's wider work to increase specialist education provision across Herefordshire in response to growing demand for places.

The proposed school would help more children with additional needs access suitable, high-quality specialist education within Herefordshire and closer to their families and communities.

The Ryefield Centre has been identified as a potential location for the new school as an existing council-owned site that could be adapted to provide high-quality specialist education.

The consultation is open to anyone with an interest in the proposal, including children and families, schools and education providers, local residents, community organisations, health and care partners and neighbouring local authorities.

The consultation will run until 12 noon on Friday 2 October 2026.

Feedback received during the consultation will be considered before the proposal progresses to the next stage of the statutory process.

Have your say

Submit your views by:

Completing the online survey: www.herefordshire.gov.uk/proposal-to-establish-a-new-special-school

Emailing: educationaldevelopment@herefordshire.gov.uk

Writing to: Hilary Jones, Head of Additional Needs, Herefordshire Council, Plough Lane, Hereford, HR4 0LE