Navendu Mishra, MP for Stockport, joined a joyful gathering of staff, pupils, parents, and carers, to mark the grand opening of Brinksway School – a brand-new SEND school dedicated to supporting autistic children and young people aged 4-19 with complex learning needs.

His visit marked the official opening of the new school facilities, which include state-of-the-art immersion room technology to simulate interactive, multisensory real-world experiences for its young people, therapy rooms, an on-site gym, sensory playroom and sensory garden, alongside classrooms refurbished and redesigned to the highest standards.

Part of Options Autism, Brinksway School is dedicated to providing a positive learning journey for every pupil, empowering them to thrive and reach their full potential. Located in central Stockport, the opening of the school comes at a time when there is growing demand for specialist provision in the area.

As with all Options Autism schools, a team of exceptional teachers, teaching assistants (TAs) and clinicians – including a highly experienced on-site occupational therapist (OT) and speech and language therapist (SALT) – ensure that the needs of every pupil are met.

The school provides a safe, caring and nurturing community, with clear, consistent boundaries and high expectations and a sensitive understanding of each young person’s experiences and the areas in which they require more support.

Commenting on the day, Mr Mishra said, “It’s been an absolute pleasure to visit and see what Brinksway School has to offer first hand. The new facility is very impressive, and I’m sure it will become a much-needed cornerstone of support for families across the community. With the right resources in place, it offers an excellent foundation for every pupil’s education.

“I extend my best wishes to the teachers, staff, and pupils, and look forward to working with them more closely to ensure that all pupils with specialist education needs have the opportunity to flourish.”

Headteacher, Carla Adams-McCoy, said, ‘At Brinksway, we passionately support children and young adults, and hold high aspirations for every pupil, tailoring our curriculum to nurture their individual needs. Learning experiences are designed to encourage confidence with challenge, and to secure progressive academic and personal growth.

‘Our aim is to foster a positive environment where pupils not only excel academically, but also build self-esteem, gain valuable skills, and develop a deep understanding of the world around them.

‘The first cohort of pupils joined us in September, and due to the huge demand for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) services in this area, the school will reach full capacity with 50 pupils, by the end of this academic year.’

Options Autism is part of Outcomes First Group, the largest independent provider of specialist education for children with SEND in England. With more 4,000 students across 75 schools in the UK.

Outcomes First Group schools cater to a wide spectrum of needs, including Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC), Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) challenges, and complex trauma, ensuring that each child receives the tailored support they require.