Carew Academy 
Work progressing at pace on the new Bedelsford Chaucer Centre
We are delighted to report that work on the new Bedelsford Chaucer Centre is progressing at pace. Contractors began working on the site in June and are making good progress in adapting the former school building, that has most recently been used as a training centre and office space for Merton Council, into a welcoming space for the new cohort of pupils with special educational needs who will join the school in September 2025.
Works include adapting classrooms and the outdoor spaces to make them accessible for the pupils who have a range of moderate to severe learning difficulties and complex needs.
All forty places have been offered to children to start at this new satellite site for Bedelsford School based in Merton. These children and their families were invited to a Drop in event on 19th June and it was very well attended.
At the event parents had the opportunity to meet with Sadie Cawood, the Head of Centre, Georgie Tyrell, SEND Team Manager (Primary Team) for the London Borough of Merton, and teaching staff. Feedback from parents at the event was very positive and the school is looking forward to welcoming the children and their families in the new school year.
Sadie Cawood, Head of Bedelsford Chaucer Centre, said: “We were very pleased to meet the families who will be joining the Bedelsford Chaucer Centre in September. It is an exciting time as our plans to replicate the outstanding provision at Bedelsford School take shape.”
Councillor Sally Kenny, Cabinet Member for Education and Lifelong Learning said, “We excited to see this fantastic education environment being created for Merton children and look forward to this new provision for pupils with SEND opening in the borough in the new academic year.”
In the first year (2025-2026) the centre will provide 40 places for pupils primarily from Merton and will have the potential to increase up to 80 places over a three-year period.
