Fernhill School
The Greenshaw Learning Trust has been given approval by the Department for Education to establish a new school in Sutton for secondary-age students with autism.
On 7th February 2024, Sutton Council’s planning committee voted unanimously in favour of the building of Fernhill School. There has been a lot of hard work and dedication to get to this stage, and we thank all the partners who have been involved.
Fernhill School is a school for 11 to 19-year-old autistic students with an Education Health and Care Plan who meet the Local Education Authority’s admissions criteria. The curriculum will be focused on providing rich learning experiences and preparation for adulthood from the day of their arrival in Year 7 and throughout their school journey.
The start of construction was marked by a groundbreaking ceremony on Friday 27th February which brought together representatives from the Department for Education (DfE), the Greenshaw Learning Trust, the London Borough of Sutton, and the Reds10 project team.
Designed by HLM Architects, the 2,900 sq. m school will include 12 classrooms, specialist therapy spaces and quiet rooms, sensory integration rooms, specialist teaching rooms for science, music, art and food technology, including a food cafe, as well accessible dining and hygiene facilities. External spaces will feature external learning spaces, a multi-use games area, soft PE playing fields, alongside secure perimeter fencing and dedicated parking for staff, visitors and school minibuses.
Fernhill School will be structured to provide:
- Consistent, proactive support so students develop their independence.
- Opportunities for community inclusion with peers.
- Access to appropriate subject-specific teaching in specialist teaching areas across the campus: specialist art, science, food technology, and technology and multimedia.
- Opportunities to achieve relevant and appropriate qualifications and accreditations.
- Therapeutic support from speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, educational psychologists and mental health support.
Find out more or apply for a place
If you are interested in applying for a place for your child at our school you should read the draft admissions criteria here (this will be available shortly).
You will then need to advise your local authority that you wish to name our school in your child’s Educational Health Care Plan.