SEND school Elmley Dray open in Minster, Sheppey, after Ofsted and Department for Education (DfE) approval

A new establishment for pupils with special educational needs (SEN) has launched to replace a former £6,000-a-year private school.

Elliott Park Primary suddenly closed its site in Minster, Sheppey in August 2022.

The decision was made via email to stunned parents who were left "absolutely gutted" after the institution went into liquidation.

It has meant the facility at Marina Drive has remained without a permanent use since - despite plans for it to reopen as a SEN facility called The Stefan Taye School last summer.

It was originally going to be called The Stefan Taye School in honour of Margate youngster Stefan Taye Kluibenschadl. The 15-year-old took his own life after being bullied for his autism.

However, Stefan’s parents ended their association with the school last spring.

In a statement, they said: “Sadly those who were involved with setting up the fantastic cause and project were unable to put their differences aside and work together for the greater good.”

Former managing director Kelly Walker said last year: “We have honoured that request and have renamed as Elmley Dray as a link to the Island - Elmley for the area of the Island and Dray is a particular historical part of water there, so we wanted to embrace that heritage.”

And, nearly nine months after the change-of-name was announced, the independent specialist school has now been given the nod following an Ofsted inspection last month and now approval by the Department for Education (DfE).

Already open and accepting applications, the school will cater for up to 40 pupils aged between nine and 19 and will feature classes of no more than eight.

It is aimed to help pupils who have a diagnosis of autism, or have autistic traits, together with difficulties with mental health and anxiety.

Students' sensory requirements are to be met through "a small learning environment which includes a sensory room, outdoor spaces and a therapy garden".

All teachers will either be qualified and trained in autism, or have qualifications in mental health with a background of working within the SEN community.

Head teacher Tom Furnell says the school will help parents and pupils across Swale who are struggling to find places at other SEN schools.

The 34-year-old, who has worked in SEN learning for 14 years, said: "We want to help as many people as we can.

"We know it has taken some time to happen, but we're really pleased we have been approved.

"So we are raring to go and are aiming to cater for pupils in Sheppey, but also Swale and even potentially Medway [as] pupils can be transported a long way to get a place at a SEND school.

"I am very passionate about this job so helping the local community and those close to home is our aim."

A lack of SEN resources on the Isle of Sheppey has long been criticised, with many parents forced to travel to Sittingbourne and beyond to take their children to school.

However, Elmley Dray will provide academic routes for SEN pupils including functional skills and GCSE options.

This will be done by creating a “blended approach” to their transition and meeting their needs slowly as the school evolves, in order to help them transition into Key Stage 3.

They say this is because many applicants will have had a difficult time in education in their lives previously.

Students will need an educational health care plan (EHCP) outlining their needs and how they will be met within a specialist provision.

The school will then need to be consulted by the local authority for possible admission to proceed.

Parents wishing to fund the placement as they go through the process of obtaining an EHCP, will need to contact the school.

Some of the classrooms at the school have been named after Elmley birds such as curlew, harrier and lapwing.