Tom Gordon, Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, has welcomed the long-overdue announcement that a provider has finally been appointed to run Bilton Woodfield Specialist School – a huge step forward following months of sustained pressure on the Government.
The school, originally promised to open in September 2024, has been plagued by repeated delays, leaving children without the specialist support they need and families stuck in limbo.
Tom has been contacted by many local parents deeply concerned about the lack of appropriate school places and the uncertainty caused by repeated delays. He raised these concerns in Parliament and secured a meeting with the Minister to demand answers. This latest announcement is a step forward and shows that pressure has worked – but families should never have been left waiting this long, and the focus must now be on making sure the school opens as soon as possible.
Tom repeatedly raised the issue in Parliament, secured a meeting with the Department for Education, and pressed the new Minister to act following the recent reshuffle. His persistent campaigning has now forced progress, with the Government at last appointing a provider.
Tom’s priority now is to work closely with the provider and North Yorkshire Council to make sure the school opens as quickly as possible, so no child is left waiting any longer.
Commenting, Tom said:
Families have been badly let down by repeated Government delays and broken promises on Bilton Woodfield Specialist School. Children who desperately need specialist support have been left in limbo for far too long.
Having a provider finally appointed is welcome, but it should never have taken this much pressure to get here.
I’ve pushed hard on this issue for months, both in Parliament and behind the scenes, and I’m glad the Government has finally acted. My focus now is on working with the provider and North Yorkshire Council to get the school open without further delay, so children across our area can access the support they need and deserve, and get the best possible start in life.
