Willow Dene is a special school for children with special education needs (SEN) aged 2-16 years. Its children have a wide range of special educational needs. The teachers are exceptional practitioners, who work as part of an extensive multi-disciplinary team of specialists to plan learning pathways, that ensure children are given the best opportunities to thrive and become independent.
The school is part of the Compass Partnership of Schools, a charitable trust of 11 schools that work as one to achieve the very best for all children and all communities.
Willow Dene’s secondary school provision is based at the Oakmere Road site. At present, there is no provision for students after Year 11 at Willow Dene, meaning that students must leave at the age of 16.
The Compass Partnership propose to open a new Sixth Form at the Oakmere Road site so that the school can provide additional SEN education for students aged from 16 to 19 years (Years 12 to 14).
The proposed location of the new sixth form site (outlined in red) is indicated in the aerial photo along with site photos of the current site.
This south-eastern corner of the site is an area of overgrown vegetation which has grown through the foundations of a former temporary building situated in this location. This temporary structure was in situ for several years whilst a new school nearby was being redeveloped. The site is shown below.
The proposed sixth form building will reach a maximum height of two storeys and will be subject to the normal planning consultation route.
The building will operate similar school hours to the main Willow Dene School. It will have its own entrance/exit onto Waterdale Road.
The proposed sixth form, operated by Willow Dene School will build up to 24 much needed places for pupils with special education needs.
Majority of the building will be manufactured off-site, minimising the impact of noise, dust and traffic in the local area.
A full business case was agreed by the Department for Education. The proposal is now subjected to a planning decision from the Royal Borough of Greenwich. In the meantime, we welcome your views on the proposal. Please read more about the school and then use the Share Your Views function of the website to tell us how you feel about the proposal.
