AN academy trust with a track record of successfully running south Essex schools will take over a new Rayleigh school once it is built, it has been confirmed.

The Zenith Multi Academy Trust has been appointed to run a new 200-place special needs school in Rayleigh, off Rawreth Lane, when it opens its doors in 2026.

Andy Hodgkinson, CEO, and his team already manage the Castledon special needs school in Wickford alongside three secondary schools and one primary school.

The new school, built next to the 500-home Wolsey Park development, will help tackle the the rising demand for special needs places across the county.

Rayleigh and Wickford Tory MP Mark Francois, who led a campaign for a new special needs school, said: “As the instigator of this project, I’m delighted to see that we now have both a contractor appointed to build this vital new school and a highly capable trust selected to run it, when it opens in autumn 2026.

“This is great news for special needs pupils, who will benefit as a result.”

Once complete, the school will be the first special educational needs school built in the Rochford district.

Alongside the 150-places at the Rayleigh school, another 40 places will also be created at the former Chetwood Primary School site in South Woodham Ferrers, taking the school’s total capacity to 190 pupils.

After plans were approved earlier this year, Essex County Council has appointed Kier Construction to design and built the school before it opens next year.

Mr Hodgkinson said: “We are honoured to have been chosen to run the new special school.

“We are very much look forward to working with families and the local community, Essex Local Authority, the Department for Education, and our MP Mark Francois, to deliver a truly outstanding provision.

“We will work closely with parents, carers and other key stakeholders, as well as using all the knowledge and skills gained through Castledon School joining our trust in 2023, to ensure children with the most complex needs get the very best levels of care and the education they deserve.”