An Isle of Wight Council bid to build a new special school on the Island has been accepted by government.

A letter from minister and MP Claire Coutinho, sent to MP Bob Seely, has confirmed the news.

The council, in partnership with Hampshire County Council, had submitted a bid to Department for Education last year.

It sought to build a new school for up to 75 Island pupils, with additional needs.

Although it's not yet been confirmed where the school will be built, the initial bid had targeted land next to Carisbrooke College.

Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely said: "I am delighted to be able to confirm that the Island’s bid for a new special SEN school has been accepted.

"This is important news for the Island’s education and I am delighted that Conservative ministers responded so positively to the case that the Isle of Wight Council and I made. Ministers have written to me today to confirm that our excellent bid was successful.

“I thank all those education and Council officers involved. I’d also like to thank Minster Claire Coutinho. In my conversations with her, I made clear how important this was to the Island and I am delighted that she agreed.

"Five years ago I promised that, working with the IW Council and others, we would get a better deal for the Island. A new SEN school is part of that better deal.”

The DfE has set aside £2.6bn to deliver up to 60 new specialist free schools across the UK.

A free school is funded directly by the DfE, rather than through the local authority. 

Cabinet member for Children's Services, Education and Lifelong Skills, Cllr Debbie Andre, said: "I'm absolutely delighted that the funding for this much needed provision has now been agreed by the DfE.

"This is the result of much hard work from our officers, working closely with the DfE, for the benefit of our Island parents and children.

"We have listened to parents who have been telling us this provision is much needed on the Island.

"I would stress that the 75 places would be in addition to the offer that we currently provide for our special needs children."

The letter states that Government is working with the council, and is inviting applicants to apply to run the school.

It said: "We will be looking for applications that demonstrate a commitment to partnership working to create a good new school, delivering what the local area and its families need, and ultimately enabling the children that attend it to achieve their full potential."

Applicants are expected to find out if they're successful in Autumn 2023.