A residential school considered a vital resource for children with autism is set to close next month following a decision by a south London local authority that stated it can no longer sustain its operation.
Bradstow School, located in Kent, will shut its doors on December 31 after Wandsworth Council’s cabinet gave its approval for the closure, citing it as the “only option” in light of persistent financial difficulties.
Previously, the council postponed its decision to provide governors with additional time to convert the institution into an academy; however, this proposal was ultimately rejected by the Department for Education (DfE), which recommended that the council move forward with closing the school.
A public consultation concluded in September, resulting in a signed recommendation for closure.
Polly Benton, the school’s business manager, representing the principal and governing body, informed council members that the institution could have achieved financial stability if it had been permitted to accept new students this year. She requested more time “to reach an informed conclusion about transitioning to academisation.”
Currently, twelve students remain enrolled at the school, including one from Wandsworth.
Ms. Benton expressed concern: “In recent years, the decisions regarding Bradstow have frequently failed to prioritize the welfare of the children. Many students have been relocated far from their families; some now reside in children’s homes without access to education, and others receive only minimal instructional time each week, forcing families to move just to remain near their child.”
Ana Popovici, the council’s executive director for children’s services, stated that all potential avenues to preserve the school’s operation had been examined, but none would ensure the safety of children or the financial sustainability of the school in the long run.
She designated closure as “the only viable option, a responsible decision”. She indicated that this action will enable the council to concentrate on specialized education resources in the area, benefiting many more children by keeping them closer to home and integrated within their communities.
Wandsworth took over the management of the school in 1990 following the dissolution of the Inner London Education Authority. While students have come from various councils, the majority have been from Kent.
The school serves autistic children with intricate needs, aged between five and nineteen, and offers accommodations during the school year.
A council report indicated that Wandsworth has been collaborating with Kent County Council since 2021 to consider transferring the school’s oversight; however, Kent withdrew from these discussions last October.
Officials stated that the school’s financial challenges left no other choice but to propose closure, as other local authorities were not willing to cover the necessary fees to keep it operational.
The school currently faces an accumulated deficit of nearly £1 million and owes other councils approximately £5.3 million, including £4.6 million owed to Kent.
Wandsworth has initiated legal actions to recover these expenses from Kent. The cabinet formally ratified the decision to close the school during the recent meeting.
