Closed private school reopens for SEND education

A private school which closed last year will reopen as an education provider for children with special needs (SEND).

Wakefield Independent School shut in July 2025, blaming VAT on school fees, falling pupil numbers and other "financial pressures".

Its buildings have now been leased to the new Wragby School, a joint project between Wakefield Council and the Venn Education Group to increase SEND provision with 120 new secondary places.

Councillor Margaret Isherwood said: "Being on site marks a powerful step forward. We're not just planning for better SEND provision, we're building it."

The council said the aim was to ensure young people could learn in buildings designed around their needs.

Wragby School is due to open during the 2026/27 academic year and will form part of the authority's wider programme to strengthen local SEND provision.

Isherwood said: "The school will give more children the support they deserve close to home, and it reflects our commitment to practical, innovative solutions for Wakefield families."

The council said this would mean fewer long journeys, more stability for children, and less reliance on expensive placements outside the district, making "a real difference" to families in the area.

The authority said it had invested capital funding to bring the site back into educational use.

The site has been leased to the school by the Nostell Estate.

The council will also continue with work to upgrade existing schools' SEND offering and create additional places.

Although Wragby School will operate as a secondary school, the council said some Key Stage 2 transition pupils would also attend.

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