A new free school in Redcar recently green lit by the Government could help cut pupil suspensions and permanent exclusions.

The ‘alternative provision’ school, which could be open by 2026, will offer 50 pupils aged 11 to 16 years old specialist support with their education who may otherwise drop out of mainstream schooling.

It was confirmed along with a number of others in Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s recent Budget announcement and in a letter by Education Secretary Gillian Keegan to Redcar MP Jacob Young.

An application by the River Tees Multi-Academy Trust for the school was successful with the trust now seeking to put in place a funding agreement with the Department for Education and identify a suitable site.

Some pupils will attend on-site full time while they transition to another provider or to post-16 education, employment and training. 

The school will offer outreach and intervention places for mainstream schools where specialist support and therapeutic services can help to avoid suspensions and permanent exclusions. 

Christina Jones, chief executive officer of River Tees Multi-Academy Trust (RTMAT), said: “We have successful alternative provision schools in Middlesbrough and Gateshead and look forward to bringing our expertise to Redcar and Cleveland. 

“We are excited about working closely with mainstream schools and other partners to ensure our new school meets the needs of the area.”

Councillor Bill Suthers, the cabinet member for children at Redcar and Cleveland Council, said: “Nothing is more important than making sure our children have the best education and start in life and we look forward to working with the River Tees Multi-Academy Trust and the Department for Education to make sure the school will be an excellent one.”

In her letter Mrs Keegan wrote: “The application to open the school has been carefully considered against the needs of the local area.

“RTMAT has extensive experience in running successful alternative provision and the proposed school aligns well with the local authority’s strategy, offering solutions to relieve pressures on current provision.

“The trust can now begin the task of converting its vision into reality, working with officials throughout the pre-opening phase.

“Once key milestones are met and a funding agreement has been signed the school will be able to open its doors to pupils.”

Mr Young said the Government was committed to ensuring every child had a quality education and “levelling up” opportunities for all, especially the disadvantaged and vulnerable.

He said: “This new school is not just a big win for our local community, but a clear indication of the Conservative Party’s dedication to educational excellence and support.”

The trust previously successfully applied to establish a free school for a hundred youngsters from across the Tees Valley aged five to 19 with social, emotional and mental health needs.

It has been operating with 32 children from temporary accommodation in Charlbury Road, Middlesbrough, but is due to move at some stage to a permanent new build facility in Alexandra Road, Grangetown.

Most read:

Get more from The Northern Echo and stay informed with a subscription now available on special offer for four months for just £4. Click here 

The Northern Echo:

The River Tees Academy Grangetown, for which plans were lodged with the local council last year, will employ about 70 teaching staff.

A statement included with the plans said the new school would contain four primary  classrooms and seven secondary classrooms, along with soft play and a sensory room, a library, workshops, kitchen and dining hall and offices.

Free schools are state funded schools that are independent of local authority control.  They have the freedom to decide the length of school day and term, their curriculum, teacher pay and how they spend their budgets.