Published on Wednesday 11 March 2026
Children and young people with special educational needs (SEND) are set to benefit from an increase in specialist school places at the former Parkfield School site in Bournemouth, following approval by the Department for Education.
It is planned that up to 216 children and young people will be able to access high quality specialist provision at the site, which will operate as a new satellite of Linwood School.
It is proposed that the campus will offer specialist places for a range of additional needs, including autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, learning disabilities and social, emotional and mental health needs (SEMH).
To develop the scheme, Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council will work with Linwood School to prepare the site. It is anticipated that building works will create specialist learning areas, calm internal layouts, therapy and sensory spaces and high-performance acoustic windows and doors to create well insulated learning spaces. A range of access, security measures and external works is also planned to develop a variety of secure outdoor learning and adapted play spaces.
It is intended that approved works will be funded through the council’s high needs capital grant programme.
This approach is part of BCP Council’s wider plans to increase the number of high-quality local specialist school places, giving children clear and supportive pathways as they grow and reducing the need to rely on independent specialist schools.
Cllr Richard Burton, BCP Council’s Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People, said:
“We know that timely access to the right specialist support can be lifechanging for children and young people and for their families.
“I’m delighted that we are working with Linwood School on this expansion, they provide exceptional support for our children and young people, something Ofsted has recognised with their Outstanding rating.
“The satellite model allows the school to tailor different areas of expertise across sites while still maintaining the same standards and ethos. Pupils will be on Linwood’s roll, taught by Linwood’s specialist staff and benefit from the same high-quality teaching, therapies and support. A satellite school here brings real advantages for children, helping us meet a wide range of needs in the best possible way.
“The new campus proposed at the former Parkfield site will mean more children can access quality specialist places within BCP. This will help reduce reliance on costly independent placements outside the area, improve outcomes for learners and deliver better value for money.”
“At the same time, we are working to deliver our ambitious programme to transform home‑to‑school travel, supporting children to build independence skills for life. As part of this, the Council will work creatively with Linwood School to develop sustainable travel options that help families access the new campus.”
“Together, these developments are about giving children and young people the best possible start in life, while ensuring our services remain sustainable for the future.”
In its latest Ofsted inspection, Linwood School was rated Outstanding for its specialist SEND provision.
It will now lead the development of the new satellite to create a safe, nurturing and aspirational environment for children and young people with SEND.
It is intended that the curriculum will offer personalised support alongside academic and vocational pathways, helping learners build confidence and prepare for adulthood.
Outdoor areas will form part of the wider curriculum, helping children build independence, develop practical skills and learn in ways that suit their individual strengths.
It is planned that the campus will open on a phased basis, with initial estimates suggesting that the first phase could open in Autumn 2027.
Gemma Talbot, Executive Headteacher at Linwood School, said:
“We are delighted to announce that we are working with BCP council to plan for a new satellite provision for Linwood School. This expansion comes in response to the growing demand for specialist places across the area and reflects our unwavering commitment to supporting children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
“The new satellite will enable us to increase our capacity while maintaining the high standards of education, care and therapeutic support that define our school. We recognise the challenges many families face in securing the right provision for their children, and this development represents an important step in ensuring that more pupils can access the personalised, high-quality education they deserve closer to home.
“Our vision remains unchanged: to provide a nurturing, inclusive and aspirational environment where every child can thrive academically, socially and emotionally. By expanding our provision, we are strengthening our ability to work in partnership with families and the wider community to achieve the very best outcomes for every pupil.
“We look forward to welcoming new pupils and families to our school community and to continuing our close collaboration with local partners to meet the needs of children and young people across BCP.”