The Bourne Education Trust celebrated the official opening of a new permanent building for Hopescourt School in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, on 12 March 2026, to provide specialist education for children with autism and communication needs.
The school first started at a temporary site in 2024 while the new purpose-built home was being finished. According to Surrey County Council, the school will grow to support 200 students by 2029.
The building was constructed to be environmentally friendly and was completed by building partners Willmott Dixon and AtkinsRéalis. This means the school was built using modern methods to help protect the environment and save energy.
This new home allows students with additional needs to receive their education within their own community rather than travelling long distances. The move to the Walton-on-Thames site is the result of a multi-year project to increase the number of specialist school places in the local area.
