A new specialist school which promises an environment where “every student can thrive” has opened in Sutton.

Horizon Care and Education has announced the official registration and opening of Grove Road School in Sutton.

Grove Road School has been designed to support up to 45 pupils aged 11-19 with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs and Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), providing a highly specialised therapeutic environment where every student can thrive.

Grove Road School features contemporary learning spaces, an expansive dining area, and a newly fitted modern kitchen designed for food technology lessons.

Each element has been “thoughtfully designed to inspire curiosity and actively engage pupils in their learning experience”.

The college also includes “safe, multifunctional co-regulation spaces, where pupils receive tailored support from clinicians to help regulate their emotions, ensuring they are in the optimal space to engage in their learning”.

Following Horizon’s SHINE (Supporting Healing in Nurturing Environments) model, Grove Road School embeds this approach throughout the school, and promises to ensure that pupils’ needs are met with compassion and therapeutic interventions, all while focusing on long-term growth and well-being.

Andrew Kitterick, Managing Director of Education said: “I am delighted to see Grove Road School open and I thank everyone involved in the delivery of this truly special school.

“Creating more specialist provision for children and young people with SEND is vital to making sure they have the best support to flourish in their education and adult life.”

Horizon partnered with the four-time award-winning design and build firm, Thornwood Design & Build, to undertake a comprehensive renovation of the new school.

Thomas Burton, Managing Director of Thornwood Design & Build said: “The buildings have been carefully repurposed and will now offer meaningful education and vital support for SEND learners throughout the local community in Sutton.

“We couldn’t be happier with the end result and we are proud to have worked with Horizon to deliver a fantastic new school.”

Amanda Cunningham, CEO of Horizon said: “The opening of our three new specialist schools represents a tremendous opportunity for young people to receive the education that they require, along with the therapeutic support and learning environment they need to thrive and achieve academic success.

“Every young person deserves access to education that meets their educational needs and future aspirations, and we are committed to reducing the number of young people currently waiting for SEND provision.

“These regions have faced significant challenges in meeting this rising demand, and we are dedicated to addressing this issue by expanding our efforts across the country.

“Our commitment to creating additional specialist school places is essential in responding to the growing needs of our community."