A new school for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is to open on the Plymouth Marjon University site.

The university has confirmed a five-year lease of the Studio School building to Elementa Education Group Ltd, a provider of specialist educational and support services.

This provision is expected to help meet the high rise in demand.

In Plymouth there were around 3,646 children with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP) at the beginning of this year, almost 1,000 more than there were in September 2024. Across the UK the figures have doubled since 2015.

These plans are legal documents that describe a child or young person’s special educational needs, the extra support they require and the goals they want to achieve.

Professor Claire Taylor, vice chancellor and chief executive of Marjon said it was encouraging to see that there would be additional options for families locally.

“At Plymouth Marjon University, we believe in high-quality, inclusive education and wellbeing support for all, and this provision will help meet a huge rise in demand.

“I’m delighted with the plans which reflect the university’s genuine commitment to place and social purpose and to extending opportunity and possibility for all. We look forward to welcoming the Elementa team to the Marjon site this year and to working together for the benefit of young people within the city and region.”

The school will serve as a dedicated space for innovative programs, delivered through Elmtree Learning Partnership alternative provision and Elmtree Sands SEND School for Year 6 to Year 11.

Classes will be designed to enhance learning opportunities and provide tailored support for students with diverse needs through topic-based learning.

With extensive emphasis on employability, unlocking students interests and career aspirations the school is focused on building students successes for the future.

Sarah Morrison, group CEO, herself a Marjon graduate who started 25 years ago this year, said: “Having experienced Marjon as student graduating in 2004, I am excited to be adding Plymouth to our locations with a partner who shares our commitment to giving every young person the education they deserve.

“Being able to provide alternative learning provision and specialist school placements in Plymouth, supporting children across Devon, is a small contribution to the increasing needs of young people in the region.”

“By working together, we aim to strengthen community engagement and create pathways that empower learners to achieve their full potential. The partnership also provides opportunities to work with the wider university community.”

“We are excited to see the building ready to start supporting young people with alternative provision places beginning in September, ahead of the school operating once it has received Ofsted registration.

Plymouth City Council is planning to build a new special school to replace the deteriorating Mill Ford school and increase capacity.

And one of its former buildings – Pounds House in Central Park – which it sold last year  has planning permission to open as a SEND school this September.

The council’s cabinet recently agreed to allocate £1 million of government funding into helping schools and academies with capital investment that would enable children to be educated in mainstream schools rather than in specialised placements, which as well as saving money is seen as better for the pupils.

The council’s director of children’s services is delegated to approve individual grants of up to £100,000 to schools and academies.

This is part of the council’s SEND Sufficiency Plan.