Last updated 19 December 2024
New £15.5m Lisburne School officially opens in Stockport
Lisburne School has officially opened its doors, marking a significant milestone for Stockport.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, 11 December brought together Councillor Wendy Meikle, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education, school staff, representatives from Kier and other invited guests. to celebrate this landmark achievement. Guests were treated to a guided tour of the state-of-the-art school, enjoyed performances by a signing choir and band, and saw pupils thriving in their inspiring new environment.
The £15.5 million school addresses the pressing need for additional specialist school places in Stockport. It replaces Lisburne’s previous facilities, which were spread across three separate sites, including temporary and off-site buildings. The new, purpose-built facility at the former Offerton School site provides 208 places—an increase of 64—and is designed to support children aged 4–11 with complex needs, such as autism, severe and profound learning difficulties, and physical disabilities.
The school includes a range of bespoke features designed to meet the specific needs of its pupils. Outdoor spaces play a key role in the curriculum, with a Forest School area that includes external dining areas, covered play areas, and habitat and seating areas. This dedicated space encourages pupils to develop social skills, teamwork, and child-led learning opportunities in a natural environment. Additional outdoor features include a sensory garden, a growing area, and multi-use gaming areas. A loop walk and running track have also been added to the field at the rear of the site, providing further opportunities for physical activity and exploration.
Cllr Meikle, who recently wrote an open letter to the Government on SEND funding disparity, said: "We’re doing everything we can to improve SEND support in Stockport, but we need the Government to step up. Right now, Stockport is one of the lowest-funded areas in the country for SEND. If we had the same funding as the best-supported local authorities, we’d have £85 million more every year to invest in our SEND services. We are committed to improving the Stockport SEND Local Offer and the opening of Lisburne School is just one part of our commitment to improving SEND provision in our borough."
Samantha Benson, Headteacher of Lisburne school, said “I am so proud that our vision for an exceptional SEND school has finally been realised. The new site offers a fully inclusive environment for our children to thrive in and will offer opportunities to raise the profile of SEND and support children across the wider Stockport community. Our staff have worked incredibly hard to prepare the school and support the transition. It has been a joy to see the children and families come together from the three sites with a real sense of belonging and identity as the Lisburne Community.”
Sarah Morton, Regional Director at Kier Construction North & Scotland, said: “The completion of this new flagship SEND school will provide vital help for children in Stockport for generations to come. We are proud to have delivered this scheme on behalf of Stockport Council, creating much-needed additional SEND places to allow children with complex needs the chance to be educated in a state-of-the-art setting that is tailored to their personal requirements.”
Kier has also delivered a comprehensive social value programme throughout the project. This has resulted in six jobs being created for local people, three of whom were previously unemployed. Additionally, more than 250 local students have been engaged in educational activities, and 11 apprentices have been supported during the project lifecycle.
The opening of Lisburne School is part of Stockport Council’s broader strategy to expand specialist education provision across the borough. Since 2020, the council has created over 600 new SEND school places, including the recent opening of Pear Tree School in Cheadle Hulme, which serves secondary-aged pupils. This reflects the council’s commitment to providing high-quality education and reducing reliance on costly out-of-borough placements, which often require significant travel for pupils.