Bracknell Forest is hiring a builder to create 50 places for autistic pupils and those with learning needs at The Pines School in Hanworth, open by March 2028.

The Pines School in Hanworth is to get a new unit with 50 places for primary-age children with special educational needs. Bracknell Forest Council has started looking for a builder, and expects the unit to open in March 2028.

The places are for pupils with autism (ASD), speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) and learning difficulties (LD). The decision paperwork uses “SCLN”, but it means the same thing.

The council’s reason is plain. Its impact assessment says “200+ pupils are transported out of borough in private transport” to attend special provision. This unit, it says, “will bring 50 places back into the borough”.

What was decided

The decision was taken on 15 September by the cabinet member for children, young people and health. It approves a procurement plan to hire one contractor to remodel part of the school. It came into effect on 23 September, once the call-in period ended.

The decision report gives two reasons for moving quickly:

  • to cut “the ongoing costs of sending pupils out of Borough”
  • to meet commitments in the council’s SEND reform plan, dated June 2026

It also says delay would make it more likely that children are placed in the independent sector, at extra cost to the council.

The contract value is not published. The procurement plan is a confidential appendix. The report says only that the value falls below the threshold for works contracts, and that funding has been earmarked in the Education Capital Programme for 2026/27.

Why it matters to the council’s budget

Places at independent and out-of-borough special schools are paid for from the Dedicated Schools Grant. Bracknell Forest, like many councils, carries a deficit on that grant.

The council’s finance adviser says in the report that the 50 places will help “minimise the use of out of Borough and Independent Sector provision”. That would contribute to “minimising growth” in the deficit reserve.

The report is careful with the wording. It says minimising growth, not reducing the deficit.

What already exists at the school

The Pines is a primary school on Hanworth Road. The Department for Education’s register of schools lists 285 pupils.

It already runs a resourced provision for autistic pupils. The register records its capacity as 20, with 20 on roll, so it is full.

The new unit is described throughout the council papers as a new 50-place provision. The papers do not say how it will sit alongside the existing 20 places.

Timetable for the specialist unit at The Pines School. Contractor expressions of interest 14 to 25 September 2026, tender period 20 November 2026 to 13 January 2027, contractor appointed 10 March 2027, building phase 1 from 12 April to 1 September 2027, phase 2 from 2 September 2027 to 21 February 2028, and the provision expected to be operational in March 2028.
Building work runs in two phases across 2027, while the school stays open. Graphic by Bracknell Online.
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When the building work happens

The report sets out the timetable. Contractors registered interest from 14 to 25 September. After that:

  • 20 November 2026 to 13 January 2027: tender period
  • 10 March 2027: contractor appointed
  • 12 April to 1 September 2027: building work, phase 1
  • 2 September 2027 to 21 February 2028: building work, phase 2

The council’s impact assessment expects the provision to be operational in March 2028.

What the risk register flags

The council also published a redacted risk register. It is candid about building on a working school site. Among the risks it lists:

  • construction traffic sharing access with the school, needing a secure compound
  • noisy work disrupting lessons, to be scheduled in school holidays where possible
  • utilities and drainage that may need upgrading
  • possible asbestos in the existing building
  • pine trees on the site that the school thinks could fail in strong winds
  • possible planning permission for fencing over 2 metres and a diverted public right of way

It also allows for inflation pushing up the cost. If the budget is exceeded, the register says, “value engineering” will be considered.

What it means for you

  • If your child has an EHCP and travels out of the borough to school, this unit is one of the council’s answers. It will not open before March 2028.
  • Specialist places are not filled by normal school application. The report says specialist bases are typically for pupils with an Education, Health and Care Plan; ask the council’s SEND team about placements.
  • If you live near Hanworth Road, expect building work at the school from April 2027 until February 2028. The contractor’s working hours are to be agreed before tender.
  • Questions about the project go to the council’s education capital and property team. The report names Kamay Toor, programme director, as the contact.

For more on local schools, see our Bracknell school term dates.