Our New School

We are excited to share our plans for a brand new, purpose-built school building here in Harborne — and to keep our families, pupils, and the wider community updated as it takes shape. This section of our website tells the full story, from why the new school is being built to what it will look like and what will be inside.

Why are we getting a new school?

In August 2023, the Department for Education announced that all school buildings containing Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete — known as RAAC — should be immediately closed due to concerns about structural safety. RAAC is a lightweight concrete material used widely in construction during the 1950s to 1980s that is now known to be prone to sudden structural failure as it ages.

At the start of September 2023, a survey of our buildings confirmed that Baskerville School contained extensive RAAC. In line with DfE guidance, the affected areas were closed immediately and the school worked quickly to put alternative arrangements in place to keep every pupil in education with as little disruption as possible.

Whilst the discovery was significant, it presented an opportunity. Rather than patch and repair ageing buildings that were never designed for modern specialist SEND education, the DfE committed to funding a brand new, purpose-built school for Baskerville.

A school built around our pupils

The result is the building you can see taking shape on our site today. Every decision made during the design process — from the layout of classrooms to the number of quiet calming spaces, from the size of the sports hall to the inclusion of dedicated therapy rooms — has been shaped by what our pupils and staff need.

Our pupils deserve an environment that truly reflects their needs: spaces that support their learning, their wellbeing, and their independence. This is not just a new building. It is a school designed specifically for Baskerville.

Find out more

Use the links below to explore what the new school will look like, discover the specialist spaces inside, and find out about the key features and facilities that will make a difference to daily life for our pupils, staff, and families.