“A School for Every Child”
It’s time to give Scarborough’s coastal communities the School they Need
“A School for Every Child” is our call for change – because too many neurodivergent children in Scarborough are still without the right education close to home. It’s time to give them the school they need – and with your support, we can make it happen.
Why the right time is NOW!
With the government’s SEND reforms currently under review, there is a renewed focus on strengthening local services and provision. This gives us a vital opportunity to press North Yorkshire Council for improved, locally accessible education and support for our children and families.
The BBC’s upcoming Panorama investigation will reveal that despite the alarming rise in Autism and ADHD diagnoses among children in Scarborough and Whitby, there are still no local special schools offering full-time education for neurodivergent children without complex learning needs. Instead, provision is concentrated in the more affluent central areas of North Yorkshire. Despite high levels of deprivation and the significant challenges families face in Scarborough, the town has been consistently overlooked – leaving children and young people without the education they deserve close to home.
This is a crucial moment to make our voices heard and lobby our Local Authority before the window of opportunity to shape future provision closes.
IT’S AN OPPORTUNITY THAT WE CANNOT AFFORD TO MISS.
How will a new school be commissioned?
New additional provision specialist schools, like the one we’re proposing, are commissioned by the government when local demand is proven. That means if enough public support is shown, North Yorkshire Council can commission a government-funded school in Scarborough. The Department for Education would then pay to build /buy and run the school (salaries, utilities etc.) while Havenswood Trust provides the structure, expertise, staff and leadership to run it day-to-day.
Partnering for Change
We are currently in discussions with a well-established multi-academy trust, one of the largest in the UK and responsible for running more than 50 primary and secondary schools nationwide. This organisation has a proven track record of working both nationally and within local neighbourhoods to build stronger, more inclusive communities where every child can thrive. Because our values and goals are so closely aligned, we are exploring a partnership with them to help establish and run Havenswood Academy. Their reputation and existing relationships with both local government and the Department for Education make them a highly credible and valuable partner for this project.
Change happens when communities unite and fight!
Scarborough has been sidelined for too long, our children are being let down and forgotten – campaign with us for change!
How YOU Can Help Our School Campaign
Make your voice heard -urge North Yorkshire Council to commission a new school for our children. Tell us your stories, sign our petition, email your local councillor, tell your friends and spread the Havenswood story on social media!
SIGN OUR PETITION
EMAIL YOUR LOCAL COUNCILLOR OR MP
SEND US YOUR STORIES