Greenwich is set to open a new school for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) called Rowan Wood in the 2025/26 academic year. The school will provide 240 places for children and young people with an autism diagnosis with complex learning needs.

The School Place Planning and Capital Programme 2025/26 - 2027/28 report indicates an expected increase in demand for specialist places for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and states that Rowan Wood will help the local authority meet its statutory duty to provide sufficient SEND places. Rowan Wood, a new SEND all-through free school, will be located across two sites. The secondary and post-16 phases, providing 80 secondary and 48 post-16 places, will be located at Hargood Road SE3, described as a former primary school site. The primary phase, providing 112 places, is proposed to be located at the former Gallions Mount Primary School site on Purrett Road SE18.

Site constraints at Hargood Road necessitate a separate location for the primary phase. The existing building at Gallions Mount is no longer viable due to its size and condition, requiring demolition and a new build.

Community engagement with local residents and community groups, particularly with children and young people with SEND, has been undertaken in relation to the proposed design of Rowan Wood's secondary and post-16 phases at Hargood Road SE3. Community engagement will be undertaken in relation to the primary phase of Rowan Wood.

The secondary and sixth-form phase is expected to be operational in the 2025/26 academic year.

The report addresses the management of forecast demand for school places across all phases of education.