Children in Somerset will benefit from a new free specialist school in Wells, providing places for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs.

Somerset County Council has successfully applied to the Department for Education (DfE) to open the school, one of 33 new free special schools nationally. 

Councillor Tessa Munt, Somerset County Council's Executive Member for Children and Families said: "We are committed to supporting our children with additional needs and a new school in Wells will mean children in the eastern part of Somerset will get the support they need without having to travel as far as they do now.

"We welcome the additional investment and the Government's aspiration for it to be easier for children to get the support they need locally. As well as more school places, most importantly this specialist school means students will get the extra help they need to thrive in their education."

The school in Wells is expected to open in three to four years and will provide 64 places for children aged 9 to 16 years.

Free schools are funded by the Government and run independently of the Council. The first step is to ask academy trusts to apply to establish the new school. More details will be available once this has been set up.

The school will be easily accessible to students from Street, Glastonbury, Shepton Mallet, Frome and Cheddar.