TWO new schools are set to open in Crewe next month to cater for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.

Preparations to get the Axis Academy and Lavender Field School ready for the new term have carried on despite Covid-19 and both sets of staff are getting ready to welcome their new pupils.

The Axis Academy has risen rapidly through the summer months on the footprint of the former Lodgefields Primary School, which was demolished in 2007.

The Youth Engagement Schools Trust was given the go-ahead to open the special free school last year and it is due to open its doors for the first time next Tuesday (September 1), initially to 32 students, but the pupil roll will increase to to 48 by 2022.

The academy will focus on providing education to young people with mental health needs supporting all areas from personal wellbeing to academic success.

Lavender Field School, in Samuel Street, Hightown has places for up to 50 pupils from September, with a potential expansion to 75 by September 2021. The school offers a personalised education, rooted in social, emotional and physical development.

Both schools will cater for the age range from four to 18 years of age.

Cheshire East Council has recognised the work of the teams behind the two schools getting ready for the autumn term following months of Covid restrictions.

The need for more special schools was established as part of a structured programme to increase places for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Plans agreed in 2017 recognised that many pupils with SEND had very long journeys to and from school, with one in five travelling more than 45 minutes each way and many educated outside of the borough.

The council says that over the last three years there has been a "considerable" capital investment in Cheshire East schools to increase both the number of places for children and young people with SEND, but also to improve support and resources in mainstream schools.

Cllr Kathryn Flavell, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for children and families said: "I'd like to thank and praise all the teams working on the construction of both schools including our school projects team, the Youth Engagement Youth Trust and Lavender Fields.

"I know they have worked tirelessly to keep the projects on schedule, so they can open their doors and welcome students to the new term during these difficult times.

"I would also like to thank the Cheshire East Parent Carer Forum for their help and support in understanding the views of parents and carers and enabling us to provide children and young people with the excellent education and support they deserve in a school close to family, friends and their communities.

Nic Brindle, chief executive officer of the Youth Engagement Schools Trust, said: "We are thrilled to open the Axis Academy to help support vulnerable children in the area and we are delighted to be able to start helping change children's futures for the better.

"The Axis Academy offers a full broad academic curriculum taught by subject specialists allowing all students to find their passions and develop these leading to apprenticeships, college placements and A-levels.

"This is reinforced by a rounded and complete support network including mental health counselling, wellbeing support, and activities focused on ensuring we have resilient lifelong learners.

"We are proud to be able to start helping change children's futures for the better and we can't wait to get started and share the successes of our first ever students as they successfully master their own education."

Co-executive headteacher of Lavender Fields, Lucy Gibbs said: "We are extremely excited to be opening our doors to pupils in September and are honoured to have the opportunity to offer a life-changing experience to children and their families.

"Pupils will have a range of additional needs and enjoy an innovative, personalised and therapeutic education."