Diverse Academies Trust has announced the name of a new 160-pupil special free school to be based in Mansfield as ‘Horizons Academy’. The academy, for which the Trust is the sponsor, will be built on the site of the former Ravensdale school in the town.

Under Nottinghamshire County Council’s plans to meet the demand for much-needed special school places in the region, Horizons Academy will deliver a specialist learning environment for children and young people aged 7 to 19 with social, emotional and mental health needs, along with autism spectrum condition.

Trust chief executive officer David Cotton said: “The new name represents a shift in perceptions of what can be offered to children and young learners with specialist needs. We want every learner to go beyond their expected ambitions, to break through boundaries, and to have the same aspirations as any other learner.

“Our vision for the new school is rooted in our firm belief that every child, regardless of individual need or ability, deserves an education that fosters inclusivity, meaningful engagement, and academic excellence. In meeting the wide-ranging specific needs of all learners, our curriculum will be aspirational, including a broad range of experiences but structured in such a way that it is meaningful and can be tailored to the needs of every child.

“Ultimately, our vision is that every child and young person who learns within the walls of Horizons Academy will leave prepared for adulthood and can go on to be whoever they want to be and to achieve more than they could have ever imagined.”

Horizons Academy is expected to open to students in January 2026, with Nottinghamshire County Council investing £20m in the project.

A consultation with the local community over the new academy is  under way at www.diverseacademies.org.uk/our-academies/special/horizons-academy