As a result of the increasing number of children with an autism diagnosis in Reading and the west of Berkshire, the borough council is inviting bids from education trusts to open another specialist school.
It would provide 150 places for autistic children and children with complex needs, including social, emotional and mental health, aged from 5 to 19, who live in Reading, or in the Borough of Wokingham or West Berkshire.

The Ambitious About Autism Schools Trust is preparing a bid to set up and run the school and wants to hear from parents and carers and anyone with an interest in special education, so that its proposals reflect the views and needs of the communities the school will serve.
Autism Berkshire hosting a special drop-in consultation event for families about the project, which will be held at Emmer Green Youth & Community Centre, in Grove Road, Reading, RG4 8LN, from 10.30am to 12.30pm, on Monday, August 12, in conjunction with a range of fun family activities, including art, crafts, slime-making and cupcake-decorating.
You will be able to find out about the Ambitious About Autism Schools Trust and its two existing schools in London – Tree House and The Rise – and what the Trust calls its Ambitious Approach to education, including the Positive Behaviour Support framework that underpins pupils’ learning.
Just come along to ask questions about the proposals for the school and have your say about the approach you would like the school to take and what should be on the curriculum. We will pass on comments and questions to the Trust.
Click here for information about the Trust’s Reading school project.
Click here for more more information about the trust’s policies and its existing schools.
If you are unable to attend this event, the Trust is running a drop-in consultation event for families on Wednesday, August 14, from 2pm to 7pm, at the Earley CresCent Resource Centre, in Warbler Drive, Reading, RG6 4HB.
- There is also an online survey where you can give your views, which takes about five minutes to complete – click here for the form.