Bedelsford Chaucer Centre is open to pupils

The new Bedelsford Chaucer Centre opened its doors to the first group of pupils at the beginning of September. The school welcomed 40 pupils of primary-school age, who have Education, Health and Care Plans citing a range of moderate to severe learning difficulties and complex needs.

During the next three years, the school, which is run by Orchard Hill College Academy Trust (OHCAT) and working in strong partnership with Merton Council, will gradually increase its roll up to 80 places.

Head of School, Sadie Cawood said: “Our team is absolutely delighted to welcome pupils into Bedelsford Chaucer Centre. The children have done fantastically well to cope with a new environment and are settling in well.”

Councillor Sally Kenny, Cabinet Member for Education and Lifelong Learning said, “The Bedelsford Chaucer Centre means we can offer more high quality, tailored support to more children with additional needs right here in Merton, near to children’s homes and their families. With all our schools holding good or better judgements from Ofsted, this opening is another step towards making Merton the very best place for children to grow up in London.”

The Executive Director of Quality and Standards at OHCAT, Julia James, said “The Trust’s mission is ‘Working Together to Transform Lives’ and this has been a truly collaborative project between everyone at the school, the trust and Merton Council to meet the demand for high quality special education needs places in the borough.”