Anderson School (Chigwell)

Opened the debate

The MP raised concerns about the future of the Anderson School, a specialist school for autistic children in Essex. The school was built on green belt land and is designed to cater specifically to high-achieving autistic children with mental health issues. He highlighted that the National Autistic Society (NAS) had admitted failing at running the school and decided to close it. The NAS put out a tender process, but the preferred bidder, Redbridge Council, plans to use the buildings for other special needs students instead of autistic high-achievers, which would destroy the original vision of the Anderson Foundation. Mohindra argued that the section 106 agreement should not be amended and called on the government to intervene in order to restore the opportunity for autistic children.

Government Response

The Minister acknowledged the concerns raised by Gagan Mohindra regarding the Anderson School. He stated that the school was approved for 55 pupils aged 11 to 19 with autism spectrum disorder and broadly mainstream academic ability. The National Autistic Society (NAS) closed the school in summer 2020 due to its failure to meet independent school standards, despite multiple action plans being submitted. Although the Department concluded that there was no systemic problem with NAS's other schools, it emphasised the need for any new leaseholder to go through standard approval mechanisms. The Minister assured Mohindra that officials have been in contact with NAS and highlighted ongoing efforts by the Department for Education to ensure suitable special educational needs provision in Essex through free school initiatives.