Department for Education confirms sponsor for new specialist free school in Frimley, Surrey

Surrey County Council is pleased to announce that the Secretary of State for Education has confirmed London South East Academies Trust (LSEAT) as the official sponsor to establish a new specialist school in Surrey Heath.

Frimley Oak Academy will be delivered by the Department for Education's Special Free Schools Programme and partly funded by Surrey County Council's Capital Programme. Once built, this new free school will serve pupils aged 11-19 years with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs.

Located in Frimley, near Camberley, the school will provide around 60 additional specialist school places for Surrey's children and young people in its first year of opening, anticipated in 2027, increasing to 170 by 2031/32.

Dr Julia Katherine, Director of Education and Lifelong Learning at Surrey County Council, said: "The development of Frimley Oak Academy is key in the delivery of our Capital programme and long-term sufficiency strategy for children and young people with additional needs and disabilities. The additional specialist school places that will be provided mean that families who live in Surrey Heath and the north of Surrey will have access to high quality, specialist school provision close to where they live. It will enable children and young people with complex social, emotional and mental health needs to achieve healthy, independent, and fulfilling lives.

"London South East Academies Trust has a strong reputation, and continuously drives improvements to schools across Surrey and Greater London. We look forward to working with them on this exciting project."

Dr Sam Parrett CBE, Chief Executive of London South East Academies Trust, said: "We are delighted to have been selected by the Secretary of State to establish this much-needed special free school - and very much look forward to working in partnership with Surrey County Council to deliver it.

"We are confident that Frimley Oak Academy will have a truly positive impact on the lives of prospective pupils, their families and the wider community - aligning with our Trust's vision of transforming lives through the power of learning."

Frimley Oak Academy is closely aligned with the priorities outlined in the Surrey's Inclusion and Additional Needs Partnership Strategy and Surrey Children and Young People's Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Strategy, which have been adopted county-wide. The Trust's education plan and specialist curriculum will enable pupils to do their best in school, reach their potential and afterwards find employment so that no one is left behind.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

• For more about Surrey County Council's SEND and AP Capital Programme: Capital Programme Report 28 March 2023
• Surrey's Inclusion and Additional Needs Partnership Strategy
• Surrey Children and Young People's Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Strategy
• For more about the DfE's Special Free Schools Programme visit: Special free schools: local authority applications - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) andFree schools: pre-opening guide - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
• For more information about London South East Academies Trust and plans for Frimley Oak Academy visit: Joining Soon (lseat.org.uk)

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