PLANS to open a new school for children with behavioural, social and emotional needs has taken a step forwards after a bid was approved by the government.

An application by the Rivers Church of England Academy Trust to build a 60-place primary school on the site of the old Sladen Middle School in Hurcott Road has been approved, meaning the trust can move forward with the project.

Councillor Marcus Hart, Worcestershire County Council’s cabinet member for education, said: “We are really pleased that an application from the Rivers C of E Academy Trust has been approved, allowing them to open an alternative provision free school in the Wyre Forest area.

"The new school will allow us to continue the progress and improvements we are making, to help children across the county reach their full potential.

"We look forward to extending our strong working relationship with The Rivers Trust, who already run 12 schools across the county."

The government announced on Sunday, July 19 that 3,000 new school places are to be created for children with special educational needs and disabilities.

Staffed by specially trained teachers, the 35 new special free schools are expected to be up and running from September 2022.

The new Kidderminster school, which would be named the Unity Academy, is still subject to a full planning application being approved.

The school will be tailored to the individual needs of children and their families, offering a highly-personalised and alternative curriculum which will help prepare children to reintegrate back into mainstream schools.

Early plans for the Unity Academy were announced at the start of this year, and Wyre Forest was identified as having a need for the provision due to the “lack of capacity” in the current system, “deprivation” in the area and the “strong support” shown for the plans by local headteachers.

The old Sladen Middle School was demolished in 2009.