Lib Dems accuse Labour of ‘financially kneecapping’ Worcestershire’s SEND provision as Malvern school delayed until 2029

Worcestershire Liberal Democrats have accused the Labour Government of “financially kneecapping” the county’s efforts to improve special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision, after ministers confirmed that a long-promised specialist school in Malvern has been delayed by at least another two years.

The Enterprise Academy, a new 120-place specialist school planned for Poolbrook, was originally expected to open in September 2027. However, the Department for Education has confirmed that September 2029 is now the earliest possible opening date, leaving children and families waiting even longer for desperately needed local provision.

The school, to be run by MacIntyre Academies Trust, was originally agreed under the previous Conservative Government in March 2024. In February 2026, Worcestershire County Council reaffirmed its commitment to the project, rejecting an alternative £5.7 million Government offer to abandon the plans. Ministers confirmed their continued support in March, making the latest delay particularly frustrating.

In a letter to Worcestershire’s Cabinet Member for Education, SEND and Skills, Cllr Dan Boatright-Greene, Children and Families Minister Josh MacAlister confirmed the revised timetable.

The announcement comes as Worcestershire faces considerable pressure on specialist school places, with some children travelling significant distances for appropriate education and others requiring expensive independent placements.

The council has recently been told it is eligible for an indicative £162.7 million Government grant to cover 90% of its eligible historic Dedicated Schools Grant deficit. While welcome, this does little to address the underlying shortage of specialist places driving continued financial pressures.

Dan Boatright-Greene, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for West Worcestershire and Cabinet Member for Education, SEND and Skills, said:

“Sometimes I do wonder what goes on in Whitehall. We’ve got children desperately needing specialist school places, a council doing everything it can to provide them, and a Government telling us the school we were promised is another two years away.

“You cannot educate a child with a ministerial reassurance. You need classrooms, teachers and schools that actually open.

“The Conservatives promised this school, Labour is now kicking it further down the road, and Reform can shout all it likes, but shouting doesn’t build classrooms either.

“My priority is making sure every child in Worcestershire gets the education they deserve, whatever their needs. We’ve put considerable time, resources and effort into expanding provision, backed this school and made it absolutely clear how desperately it’s needed.

“And what do we get? Another two years of waiting.

“The Government has agreed to help us tackle our historic SEND deficit, which is very welcome. But there’s something rather absurd about giving us money to address the problem while delaying one of the very things that could help prevent it happening again.

“It’s like paying someone to mop up the kitchen floor while refusing to turn off the tap.”

The delay is particularly frustrating given that Aurora Peartree School, an independent specialist school being developed at the former Malvern Hills College site, is expected to open in September 2027, providing a further 120 specialist places.

While the additional provision is welcome, independent placements can be considerably more expensive than state-funded alternatives, placing further pressure on council budgets.

Dan continued:

“I completely understand why parents will want their children to attend the new independent school. Every parent wants the right education and support for their child, and I welcome those additional places.

“But while an independent provider is getting on with opening a school in Malvern, the state-funded school we were promised is being pushed back another two years.

“The Government is financially kneecapping our education system through its own delays, and it’s Worcestershire’s children, families and council taxpayers who are left picking up the pieces.

“I haven’t written to the Minister simply to have another polite exchange of letters. I want answers, a timetable we can rely on, and above all, I want this school built.

“Worcestershire has done its part. Now it’s time the Government got on with theirs.”