A new education setting designed for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is set to open in South Bristol in September 2026. The refurbished Throgmorton House will provide up to 66 additional places for pupils, helping meet rising local demand for specialist school provision.
Throgmorton House will operate under Briarwood School, which was rated “Outstanding” in every category following an Ofsted inspection in October 2024. The expansion aims to reduce journey times for families and allow more children to access high-quality education closer to home.
Councillor Christine Townsend, Chair of the Children and Young People Committee, said:
“Families in south Bristol have told us how important it is to have the right support closer to home. Developing Throgmorton House as part of Briarwood will create dozens of new specialist places, reduce unnecessary travel, and give children access to a high-quality curriculum and therapies in their community. It’s a practical step to meet urgent need quickly and sustainably, and one that will make a real difference to local families and improve outcomes for children with the most complex needs.”
Subject to final approvals, a phased opening from Easter 2026 is being explored, ahead of the school reaching full capacity in September. The site will operate as a satellite of Briarwood’s existing multi-site school, benefiting from the same leadership, curriculum, and therapeutic approach.
Nicolle Deighton, Executive Headteacher at Briarwood School, said:
“Briarwood South, opening in Throgmorton House, represents a significant milestone in Briarwood’s commitment to meeting Bristol’s growing need for high quality SEND provision. This expansion strengthens our capacity to offer more specialist places and extend the outstanding practice that defines our school.
“At the heart of this development is our belief that every child deserves the opportunity to flourish within a nurturing and aspirational community. By opening this new site we can reach more families, provide rich and personalised learning experiences and build on the strong sense of belonging that makes Briarwood unique. We are proud to continue our mission to help pupils ‘Enjoy, Engage, Learn’, and we look forward to the positive impact Briarwood South will have for children and young people across the city.”
The development of Throgmorton House forms part of Bristol City Council’s wider £52.7 million SEND Education Capital programme. The council’s School Organisation Strategy identifies a shortfall of 569 specialist places in the city, particularly for children with Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC), Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN), and Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH). The strategy aims to create 569 new specialist provision places by 2030 to ensure children and young people with SEND receive suitable, tailored educational support.
