A South London residential school that has long supported autistic children and their families will close next month, despite urgent appeals to save it. Wandsworth Council announced that Bradstow School in Kent will shut its doors on December 31, citing financial pressures as the primary reason. The school has been described as a lifeline for vulnerable children, offering accommodation and specialist support for students with complex needs aged five to 19.
The council had delayed the closure to give governors additional time to explore turning Bradstow into an academy. However, the Department for Education rejected these plans, advising that closure proceed. Following a public consultation in September, council officers recommended shutting the school, a proposal approved by the cabinet on November 3.
Polly Benton, Bradstow’s business manager, argued that the school could have been financially viable if allowed to admit new pupils this year, pointing to recent cost reductions. Speaking on behalf of the principal and governors, she requested more time to evaluate the potential of academisation. She highlighted the school’s wider role, saying: “Bradstow School has for generations been far more than a school. It has been a lifeline, a place of safety, understanding and hope, for some of the most vulnerable children and families in our community.”
Ms Benton criticised previous decisions regarding the school, saying that many children had been placed far from their families or had experienced limited educational opportunities. “Over the past two years, decisions on Bradstow’s behalf have too often overlooked the best interests of the children. Many have been placed miles from their families, some now living in children’s homes without education, others receiving only a few hours of teaching each week and families uprooted simply to stay close to their child,” she said.
Despite these concerns, Ana Popovici, executive director for children’s services, said that all options had been considered to maintain Bradstow’s operations. She stressed that closure was now the “only option, the responsible course of action.” Ms Popovici emphasised that the decision was not a reflection on the quality of care or dedication of staff but a consequence of structural and financial realities. “This decision is about doing what is right for Wandsworth children and families, focussing our resources and investment in our specialist provision locally. This will enable us to uphold the standards we deserve and keep many more children closer to home and within their communities to benefit from the support they absolutely need and deserve,” she said.
Bradstow School has been part of Wandsworth’s provision since 1990, following the abolition of the Inner London Education Authority. While students have historically come from various areas, most have been from Kent. The school provides term-time accommodation for children with complex needs, but financial pressures have mounted over recent years. Council officers reported that attempts to transfer the provision to Kent County Council, ongoing since November 2021, were ultimately unsuccessful, leaving closure as the only viable option.
The school has accumulated an overall deficit of nearly £1 million and holds £5.3 million in debt to other councils, including £4.6 million owed to Kent. Wandsworth has begun legal proceedings to recover these fees. Labour councillor Judi Gasser, cabinet member for children, said: “Hand on heart, I can’t recommend to cabinet that we keep underwriting Bradstow’s losses. My responsibility is to Wandsworth children. I truly feel for the families from other areas who must be concerned about moving their child and I feel for the staff team. We will do all we can to help you find new jobs, but it is my duty to keep Wandsworth money for Wandsworth children.”
The closure of Bradstow School marks the end of a crucial resource for autistic children and families in the region. While the decision was framed as financially necessary, it leaves the affected children, their families, and the staff facing major changes in the months ahead. The council has committed to supporting staff in finding new roles and ensuring that Wandsworth children continue to receive specialist support closer to home.
