New special school reaches major milestone

E G Carter & Co Ltd and Gloucestershire County Council celebrated the progress on the new school at Wheatridge East in Abbeydale with a topping‑out ceremony, which marks reaching the highest point of construction and moving on from structural work to the next phase of the building.

The milestone highlights the continued investment in making sure children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can access the right education at the right time closer to home.

Opening in 2027, the Gloucestershire Academy for Inspirational Learning (GAIL) will gradually expand to offer up to 200 places for primary and secondary pupils. This will help meet growing demand for SEND places locally and reduce the need for families to travel long distances to access the right support.

Kelly-Leigh Kulyk, Headteacher at Gloucestershire Academy for Inspirational Learning, said: “I am incredibly proud to be working alongside our local community to help create a school that truly belongs to everyone. Together, we are building meaningful and inclusive learning opportunities for our pupils, families and local partners. It is wonderful to see the school taking shape, and I am really looking forward to the year ahead and to welcoming pupils into what will be a fantastic place to learn and grow.”

Cllr Linda Cohen, cabinet member for education at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “This school is about improving everyday experiences for children and families. We know demand for specialist places is rising, which is why we’re investing in new schools and expanding provision across the county so more children can learn locally, stay connected to their communities and get the support they need.”

Cllr Andrew Gravells, local county councillor for Abbey, said: “This is an important milestone for the local area and for families who need more specialist provision closer to home for their children. It’s great to see real progress on a school that will make a lasting and big difference for children and young people in Gloucester in their early years.”

The new special school is being delivered with a total investment of £19.5 million. It forms part of a wider programme of investment by Gloucestershire County Council to increase local SEND provision.

Since 2019, the council has created more than 510 additional specialist school places by opening new special schools and expanding existing provision. A further 400 places (including the 200 places at this school) will be available by 2028, supported by over £50 million of investment, helping more children and young people to access high-quality education within their own communities.

Thomas Jones, Construction Director at E G Carter & Co Ltd, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be delivering this vital new facility for Gloucestershire County Council and the local community. This school has been carefully designed to provide a safe, inclusive, and inspiring environment for children and young people with additional needs. As a local contractor, we understand the importance of working collaboratively with residents, schools and stakeholders, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact this project will have for generations to come.”