Harrogate School 

Lighthouse Education Trust has been approved by North Yorkshire Council to open a new special free school in Harrogate, known as Lighthouse School, Harrogate.

Lighthouse School, Harrogate will be a provision serving up to 80 autistic children and young people aged 11-19 who are able to access a KS3, KS4 or KS5 curriculum at or around the corresponding age range for that curriculum. The school will deliver community-driven, student-centred, and destination-focused nurture and support to children and young people in Harrogate. It will build on Lighthouse Education Trust’s successful curriculum, staffing structure, and operational model, ensuring pupils can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally while preparing them for adulthood.

The school will adopt a curriculum built on four cornerstones:

• Curriculum: built on ambition, versatility, and innovation, delivering learning ambitious in breadth and depth. It will offer all subjects one would expect at a mainstream school, as well as those delivered to support the needs of students. Modules will be tailored to suit different abilities and interests, for the promotion of individual ambition.
• Wellbeing: We will provide holistic, student-centred interventions to enable engagement in learning and support students to understand their diagnosis. Students will learn to manage their emotions, advocate for themselves, and promote positive mental health. All staff will be trained in wellbeing strategies to ensure integration with the provision.
• Speech and Language Therapy and Communication: As experienced providers, we recognise that fundamental skills in communication and expression are vital for accessing education, both academic and vocational training, as well as developing important social and emotional skills and habits.
• Skills and Experience: Our students will receive tailored support in developing the skills, knowledge, and experience needed to go on to access vocational training, employment, and active participation in daily life.

Admissions to Lighthouse School, Harrogate will be managed through North Yorkshire Council, who will allocate places via EHCPs.

You can view our Statement of Provision here: Harrogate School - Statement of Provision

The school will be located on the site of the former Woodfield Primary School in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, postcode HG1 4HZ, which is being fitted out for our new cohort.

We have compiled a frequently asked question guide here: FAQ's - Harrogate School

*The formal public consultation has now closed* 

However, if you have any feedback on the Harrogate school, please e-mail: harrogateschoolpublicconsultation@lighthouseschool.co.uk

Kind regards,

Emma Sullivan

Interim Executive Principal

Lighthouse Education Trust