SEND school in Petersham opens its doors this term

A new SEND school in Petersham has handed over its keys and will welcome pupils when term begins in September. The Clarendon School satellite centre on Dysart Avenue is the borough’s latest addition to specialist provision, built to ease pressure on families seeking places for children with special educational needs and disabilities.

Construction of the new facility is now complete, with staff preparing the learning environment ahead of the autumn term start.

What the new centre offers

The satellite centre extends Clarendon School’s reach beyond its main Hampton site. The new building on Dysart Avenue in Petersham will serve pupils who need specialist teaching and support for a range of learning and physical disabilities. Clarendon School, which currently educates children aged 2 to 19, has been rated Outstanding by Ofsted and works with families across Richmond borough. The satellite model allows the school to maintain its teaching standards while serving pupils closer to their homes in the northern part of the borough. Richmond Council formally handed over the building to school staff in late August, allowing them to set up classrooms and sensory spaces before the first intake arrives. The location shortens travel times for families in Petersham, Richmond and Ham who previously faced longer journeys to Hampton.

How it fits into borough SEND provision

The new centre responds to rising demand for specialist school places. Richmond Council has faced pressure from parents seeking SEND provision as waiting lists have grown in recent years. The satellite approach allows Clarendon School to increase capacity without a large single-site expansion, while giving families more choice about where their child is educated.

The council has committed to improving access to specialist education across the borough

, and this centre represents one part of a wider strategy that includes reviewing Education, Health and Care Plans and supporting mainstream schools to become more inclusive. The Petersham site is purpose-built with accessible facilities and outdoor learning spaces designed for pupils with complex needs. Families who have been travelling across the borough now have a local option that reduces daily journey times and keeps children closer to their communities.

How we got here

Richmond Council approves Clarendon School satellite centre plan following parent consultations

Construction begins on Dysart Avenue site in Petersham

Staff recruitment and training completed ahead of opening

August 2026

Building formally handed over to Clarendon School staff

September 2026

First pupils welcomed at start of autumn term

Clarendon School’s main site in Hampton has been serving Richmond families since 1958, originally as a school for children with physical disabilities. The satellite model allows the school to extend its expertise to a second location while maintaining the personalised approach that earned its Outstanding rating.

The path to opening

Planning and construction took place over the past two years. The council approved the satellite centre plan in 2026 as part of its SEND sufficiency strategy, following consultations with parents and education providers. Construction began in early 2026 on the Dysart Avenue site, with the building designed to meet accessibility standards and include therapy rooms, sensory areas and adapted outdoor spaces. Clarendon School worked with the council throughout the design phase to ensure the facility matched the needs of pupils who would attend. Staff recruitment and training took place over the summer, with teachers and support staff preparing to deliver the school’s curriculum model in the new setting. The two-year timeline reflects the council’s recognition that specialist provision cannot wait, and that families need concrete solutions rather than extended consultations.

What this means for you

If you are seeking a specialist school place for your child, the new centre increases capacity in the borough but does not change the application process. | You still need to work through the council’s SEND team and have an Education, Health and Care Plan in place before applying for a place at Clarendon School, whether at the Hampton or Petersham site. If your child already attends Clarendon in Hampton, the council and school will contact you if a transfer to Petersham might suit your family better, but no child will be moved without parental agreement. For families in the northern part of the borough, the Petersham location may reduce daily travel time and allow your child to attend a school closer to home and local friendships. Contact the council’s SEND Information, Advice and Support Service if you want to discuss whether the new centre might be suitable for your child, or if you are navigating the EHCP process for the first time. The service provides free, impartial guidance to Richmond families. | The opening does not solve every SEND capacity challenge in the borough, but it does offer one more local option for families who have been waiting. The Petersham satellite centre opens at a time when Richmond families need more specialist school places, not fewer. The building is ready, staff are in place, and the first pupils will walk through the doors when term begins in September.

The centre marks a shift in how Richmond Council addresses growing demand for SEND places, moving towards satellite provision rather than expanding single-site schools.

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for a place at the new Petersham centre?

The centre is open to pupils with an Education, Health and Care Plan who meet Clarendon School’s admissions criteria. You must apply through Richmond Council’s SEND team, not directly to the school. The council assesses applications and allocates places based on your child’s needs and the suitability of the provision.

Will the Petersham centre offer the same curriculum as the Hampton site?

Yes. Both sites follow Clarendon School’s curriculum and teaching approach, which is tailored to each pupil’s EHCP outcomes. Staff at the Petersham centre have been trained to deliver the same standards that earned the school its Outstanding Ofsted rating.

Can my child transfer from Clarendon Hampton to the new Petersham centre?

Transfers are possible if the Petersham location better suits your family and your child’s needs. The school and council will discuss options with you, but no child will be moved without your agreement. Travel distance and continuity of support are both considered in transfer decisions.

How many pupils will the Petersham centre accommodate?

The centre is designed to serve a smaller cohort than the main Hampton site, with exact numbers depending on the needs of individual pupils. The building includes therapy rooms, sensory spaces and outdoor areas to support children with a range of physical and learning disabilities.

Where can I get help with the EHCP process?

Richmond Council’s SEND Information, Advice and Support Service offers free, impartial guidance to families navigating the EHCP application and review process. They can explain your rights, help you prepare for meetings, and answer questions about school placements across the borough.