Lime Academy Hornbeam Expansion
Lime Hornbeam Academy – Expansion
Waltham Forest Council has asked Lime Trust to consider increasing the Published Admission Number (PAN) for Lime Academy Hornbeam to respond to growing demand for specialist places across the local area. The request is for Lime Academy Hornbeam to increase by an additional 100 places from September 2026, with the PAN increasing by 40 places in September 2026 and with phased future growth over time until it reaches 395 places.
To support this potential expansion, Waltham Forest Council has identified a site at the Chapel End Early Years Centre, Brookscroft Road, London E17 4LH and has committed funding for the required capital works to ensure the building is suitable, safe and able to meet pupils’ needs. The site is currently used as an early years setting and includes outdoor space that supports Forest School learning.
We understand how important it is for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities to access the right support, in the right environment, at the right time. The intention behind this proposal is to enable more pupils to benefit from Lime Academy Hornbeam’s specialist provision, while maintaining the quality of education, care and support that families rightly expect.
Why an additional site?
Lime Academy Hornbeam currently operates across two sites. In order to expand in a way that continues to feel calm, safe and purposeful for pupils, we are exploring the option of moving to three sites. This would allow us to plan provision thoughtfully, ensuring pupils learn in environments that are appropriate for their age and needs and that the school remains able to deliver consistently high-quality specialist practice.
If this proposal progresses, Lime Academy Hornbeam would operate across three sites, with provision organised to support pupils effectively by phase and need. The current working model is:
Site A – Brookfield House, Alders Avenue, IG8 9PY - PMLD provision, 3-19 year olds
Site B – William Morris, Folly Lane, E17 5NT - Secondary provision
Site C – Brookscroft Road, E17 4LH - Primary provision
Locating primary provision at Brookscroft Road, E17 4LH would provide an environment suited to younger pupils, with the opportunity to make use of the existing outdoor space, including Forest School style learning, as part of a broad and balanced curriculum designed to suit their needs.
Facilities and suitability of the new site
As part of the development work, we are already working with specialist architects to understand how the existing building at Brookscroft Road, E17 4LH can be reused, adapted and further developed to meet the needs of the pupils who would attend the site. We will confirm what specialist spaces are required to ensure the site is suitable, safe and supportive of pupils’ learning, care and wellbeing. This is expected to include specialist facilities for sensory and therapeutic interventions for learners.
Any final design and refurbishment plans would be shaped by professional advice and by the needs of the pupils who would attend the site.
Vision for the new site
Our overarching aims for the new site will be the same as currently for Lime Academy Hornbeam:
- To support and equip our pupils with the relevant knowledge, skills and experiences to be active members of society.
- To provide a personalised provision for each learner that is adaptive and responsive to need.
- To promote independence and not dependence.
- To develop independent living skills and work-related learning which is integrated into daily routines; that builds on confidence and resilience providing a sense of achievement which is celebrated by the whole community.
- To work collaboratively with all stakeholders
Further information can be found in the Frequently Asked Questions document linked here.
Consultation