Pear Tree School opens in Stockport, addressing critical need for SEND provision

Pear Tree School has celebrated its grand opening, offering much-needed school places for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) – and delivering on Stockport Council’s commitment to making sure every child gets the support they need to thrive. Located on the former Orrishmere Primary School site in Cheadle Hulme, Pear Tree will provide a nurturing, inclusive environment for up to 133 pupils aged 11–19, with a wide range of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The new school addresses a pressing demand for more SEND school places in the borough and reflects the Council’s focus on supporting families, tackling inequality, and investing in education and care that works for every child.

The school is part of the Prospere Learning Trust, and features state-of-the-art facilities including:

• Bespoke classrooms with small group teaching spaces
• A multi-use sports and activity hall
• A specialist food technology room
• Outdoor spaces designed to meet pupils’ sensory and learning needs
• A net zero carbon design, in line with national sustainability goals

Stockport Council Leader Cllr Mark Hunter and Cllr Wendy Meikle, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education, joined staff and invited guests for a tour of the school and to meet some of the pupils already benefiting from the purpose-built environment.

Cllr Wendy Meikle, said: “This is fantastic news for Stockport’s SEND children and their families. Pear Tree School offers a first-class education in a space that has been carefully designed to meet a wide range of needs. This is about giving every child the best start in life and the skills and confidence to succeed—not just in school, but in life.”

The school’s opening addresses a critical local need for more SEND places. Since 2020, Stockport Council has created over 600 new specialist school places, including at Lisburne School in Offerton, which opened last year for primary-aged pupils with complex needs.

This sits alongside improvements to SEND information and support for families, including a more accessible Local Offer website and the launch of a dedicated Facebook page to help families stay informed about services, events and updates.

Linda Jones, CEO at Prospere Learning Trust, said: “The school will provide state of the art facilities for pupils who have significant additional needs. The built environment is of a very high standard and will support the progress of each pupil. Staff, parents and pupils are excited to move into their new build.”