31 August 2025 – Planning submitted on Balgores Field

The planning application for the development of the new school on Balgores Field has been submitted! A series of public engagement sessions held earlier in the summer helped share the school’s design.

The proposed Balgores Special School in Gidea Park will be operated by the Astrum Multi Academy Trust and aims to offer a state-of-the-art facility for 300 pupils aged four to 19 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The plans include outdoor play spaces, a sports hall, a stage, and a therapy pool. The site would also be developed so that it can be used by the wider community out-of-hours.

This new school will be designed by Haverstock Architects, with UBU Design crafted landscape and Galliford Try has been awarded the design and build contract.

This new school means that Havering pupils can be educated locally, benefitting from shorter travel times to the right facilities to meet their needs, while supporting the development of friendship and social groups closer to home. It will play a vital role in addressing the area’s under-served provision and bring a much-needed facility to the borough. The new school project is also fully funded by a Department for Education grant

The proposals will now be reviewed by the planning authority before a 21-day public consultation period begins.