As the parcel of land currently has a designation of ‘playing field land’, it will need to be formally ‘disposed of’ to allow the land to have an alternative use.  This requires permission from the Secretary of State.

This does not mean that the land will be given away or actually disposed of, rather the ‘disposal’ will be by way of a sublease to Aurora Fairway School, who will then have a different use for the land.

The consultation starts on Friday 28 March 2025, and will close on Sunday 11 May 2025.

Proposal Details

• The proposed site is an unused area of land.  Students do not have access to the land, which is separated from the academy’s PE facilities.
• The land consists of low-value grassland, overgrown bushes, and a small number of low-quality trees.
•  The sublease will allow the expansion of Aurora Fairway School by way of a new classrooms building.
• The main school site at St Ivo Academy has sufficient recreation and playing field space, which will remain unaffected by this proposed disposal.
• The expansion will allow Aurora Fairway School to accommodate an additional 21 pupils and create up to 9 new jobs.

About Aurora Fairway School

Aurora Fairway School is a specialist day school, offering academic and therapeutic provision for students aged 11-16 with a range of complex learning needs including social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication difficulties and autism.

The school is committed to providing a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment where students' well-being is a top priority. A dedicated team of specialist teachers, support staff, and therapists works closely with each student, ensuring their individual needs are met and helping them reach their full potential academically, socially, and emotionally.

Aurora Fairway School is rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted, with ‘Outstanding’ recognition for Personal Development in its most recent inspection.  The school is currently at capacity, and the expansion will allow it to admit additional students who are in need of this provision.

Have Your Say

We welcome feedback regarding this proposed expansion. Click the button below to leave feedback:

Consultation Feedback Survey

Alternatively, you can email your feedback to daniel.wilson@the-aurora-group.com.

There will also be an in-person open consultation session at Aurora Fairway School on Wednesday 23 April 2025 at 6pm.  

You can simply turn up on the day, but please email Daniel.wilson@the-aurora-group.com and Marcie.champion@the-aurora-group.com in advance if you need any accessibility or communication requirements.

The aim was to create a space that provided a calm and relaxing environment for our students, that helps to regulate mood and emotions and promotes self-regulation.

Aurora Foxes Occupational Therapist and Therapy Lead, Kerry Laing designed the space by sourcing sensory equipment that was both effective and affordable, meaning that if students found particular equipment to be beneficial, they would be able to re-create their own sensory spaces at home. Maintenance Team Leader, Steve Smith and his team then worked together to bring the vision to life!

The Sensory Room is designed to engage all the senses and cater to the unique needs of our students. We're thrilled to see the students already enjoying the space and it's quickly becoming a new favourite spot. A big thank you to Hilton, Kerry, and Steve for making this possible!

It provides personalised, tailored education and therapeutic support in a calm, nurturing environment for students with a range of complex learning needs including social, emotional and mental health needs, including those associated with autism.

30 April to 6 May is Hedgehog Awareness Week and a chance to highlight the help these hogs need as they’re now classified as vulnerable to extinction. Projects such as Hedgehog Friendly Campus are needed to help to boost their numbers.