New SEN school on outskirts of Sandbach gets ready to welcome its first children

By Deborah Bowyer 8th Jul 2025

Cheshire Hall School is poised to welcome its first children. Headteacher Paul Lyons and admissions co-ordinator Leonie Travers-O'Connor. (Photo: Nub News)
Cheshire Hall School is poised to welcome its first children. Headteacher Paul Lyons and admissions co-ordinator Leonie Travers-O'Connor. (Photo: Nub News)

A new SEN school covering a wide area including Cheshire East and West is poised to welcome its first children.

Cheshire Hall School, run by the Witherslackgroup, is housed in Brookside Hall, Arclid, formerly the regional head office for Sibelco UK.

The building in Congleton Road was built in the late 1800s as a private home but was has been cleverly purposed into the new school. (Photo: Nub News)

It will cater for up to 60 children aged from eight to 16-years-old with plans to extend the age range to cater for five - 18- year-olds as the school grows.

Cheshire Hall School will cater for children with a range of special educational needs including ADHD, autism, speech, language and communication difficulties and social and emotional difficulties.

And the school, which includes Johan Cruyff Foundation outdoor sports facilities, has used the close proximity to the world famous Jodrell Bank Observatory, home to the Lovell Telescope, as inspiration for its classrooms.

Headteache, Paul Lyons and admissions co-ordinator, Leonie Travers-O'Connor. (Photo: Nub News)

They are all named after planets or constellations and rooms have space themed images to help inspire the children and enrich their learning.

The building in Congleton Road was built in the late 1800s as a private home but was has been cleverly purposed into the new school.

Headteacher, Paul Lyons said: "We are thrilled to announce the opening of Cheshire Hall School this month. Our vision is to create an inclusive learning environment where every child is known, supported and inspired to reach their full potential.

"Our tailored curriculum aims to make learning both accessible and engaging, with plenty of opportunities for hands-on learning through educational visits and field trips that bring lessons to life.

"We provide in-house therapeutic support with a skilled team of therapists and clinicians, offering a range of therapies to meet the needs of each pupil.

The school, part of the Witherslackgroup, has its own uniform. (Photo: Nub News)

"Through our Futures programme, we're committed to opening up career opportunities and encouraging every young person to aim high.

"We are very proud of our warm, community-focused ethos and our unwavering belief in the potential of every pupil. We look forward to welcoming our first cohort in the coming weeks."

The school is on Congleton Road, Arclid. (Photo: Nub News)

The new school, which is set to have a house system aims to build links with the local community and will welcome its first children "in a couple of weeks".

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