The new Free School will be a 5-19, co-educational special school with 246 places for children and young people who have additional and complex learning needs in the Sutton, South London and South East region. This school will replace the current school, but the Carew Academy name will be maintained.
Update – February 2023
We are delighted to announce that the new school building for Carew Academy will soon commence construction. The new school will provide specialist education for 246 children and young people aged 5-19 who have a range of additional learning needs, some of which are complex and may include Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
The main contractor will be imminently commencing works in the street near the site at Sheen Way in preparation for the site works to start in early May. The construction process will complete by December 2024. The decant from the current Carew Academy site in Beddington to the new site will be then subsequently planned in.
Carew Academy and at Orchard Hill College Academy Trust are committed to realising the potential of our pupils and students and we will work together with staff, parents/carers and the local community to ensure they achieve their very best in their local communities.
Update – November 2021
On Tuesday 24 November 2021 there will be a small survey team comprising of two engineers using surveying equipment to undertake non-intrusive ground surveys along the Capel Avenue Road, in support of our ongoing discussions with the Local Planning and Highways team who are aware of this survey work.
The survey will be completed within the day and residents may also see a support vehicle which is needed as part of the surveying activity.
Update – November 2021
The six-week Judicial Review finished on 22 June 2021, it concluded no valid challenges. Construction is due to commence in the autumn term.
Planning Update – May 2021
A Public Enquiry on the new special Free School for Sutton was held by an Independent Planning Inspector between 29 September 2020 and 7 October 2020. The Inspector issued her report to the Secretary of State on 5 February 2021.
On 10 May 2021 the Secretary of State stated that planning permission should be granted for the new special Free School in Sutton. There is now a six-week Judicial Review which will finish on 22 June 2021.
Planning Consultation
A site at Sheen Way Flaying Fields has been allocated in the Sutton Local Plan (2018) for a Special Education Needs School for children with autistic spectrum disorder and/or moderate learning difficulties.
A planning application, on behalf of the Department for Education, was submitted to the London Borough of Sutton in Summer 2019. Further details about the proposed building will be available on the planning portal of Sutton Council’s website.
A drop in exhibition at The Cricket Centre, Plough Lane, took place on 25 April 2019 between 4.00pm and 8.00pm. Please see below images and information presented at the event.
Introduction (design development, proposed site zoning, existing and proposed school site locations and aerial view of proposed site)
Site Plan and Landscape Proposals
