Why is the site grey? In memory of Sir Patrick Stewart (1940–2026), who gave 16 years to the RSC in Stratford

Former Great Alne Primary School Earmarked for Special Needs Places

Warwickshire County Council's Cabinet has agreed the former Great Alne Primary School should provide up to 40 specialist places for primary-age children with SEND. Funding goes to Cabinet in December, and there is no opening date yet.

By Alex Harrington 2 min read Source: Warwickshire County Council
St Mary Magdalene's Church in the village of Great Alne, near Alcester
St Mary Magdalene's Church, Great Alne. Photo: Argrogan, Public domain

The former Great Alne Primary School, which closed in July, has been earmarked for up to 40 specialist places for primary-age children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Warwickshire County Council’s Cabinet agreed on Thursday 15 October that the School Road site, about six miles west of Stratford-upon-Avon, should stay in educational use for children who can’t have their needs met in a mainstream school.

On this page
  1. What’s planned
  2. Why Stratford district needs the places
  3. What happens next

It’s a first step, not a final go-ahead. The money to adapt the buildings still has to be approved, there will be a public consultation, and the council says there is no opening date yet.

What’s planned

  • Who it’s for: primary-age children with autism, speech, language and communication needs, and/or social, emotional and mental health needs.
  • How many: up to 40 places, built up over three years (16 in the first year, 32 in the second, then 40), if the school provider agrees.
  • Cost: about £1.363 million to adapt the site and buildings, from the county’s High Needs capital money. Running it would cost an estimated £1.322 million a year.
  • Who would run it: still being discussed with the Department for Education. It could be a satellite of an existing special school run by a trust, or a new stand-alone special school.

Why Stratford district needs the places

The Cabinet report says 1,175 school-age children in Stratford district have an education, health and care (EHC) plan, and 345 of them attend a special school. It forecasts the number of children with EHC plans rising by 17% in 2027 and 20% in 2028. A review in December 2025 found a gap in primary-age specialist places in the district.

The district has two state special schools: Welcombe Hills School in Stratford (184 children aged 4 to 19) and Venture Academy in Henley-in-Arden (50 children aged 9 to 16). Another 99 children from the district go to independent special schools, which usually cost more. The council estimates that a full 40-place provision could avoid up to £1.7 million a year compared with independent places, though it says this is cost it avoids, not a saving, because demand keeps growing.

What happens next

  • December 2026: Cabinet decides on the capital funding, as part of the Education Capital Programme.
  • Consultation: a public consultation is required before any final decision. A trust would lead it if the site becomes a satellite school; the county council would lead it for a new school.
  • Access: most pupils are expected to travel in from elsewhere, so the council is looking at how drop-off and pick-up would work. Bigger works at the front of the school would probably need planning permission from the county’s Regulatory Committee.

The village’s local county councillors were sent the report before it was published. For more about the village, including planning applications and what’s on nearby, see our Great Alne village page, or browse more Stratford-area council news.

Alex Harrington

Alex Harrington grew up in Stratford-upon-Avon and runs What's up, Stratford? as an independent guide to the town.

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