About the improvements
We intend to make a prescribed alteration to Lady Zia Wernher School (Community Special School), which operates across these two sites:
- Lady Zia Wernher School Leagrave, Strangers Way, Luton, LU4 9ND
- Lady Zia Wernher School Stopsley, Ashcroft Road, Luton, LU2 9AY
It is proposed to increase the capacity of the school, from 1 January 2027 by enlarging the school premises on the school’s Leagrave site at Strangers Way.
The current capacity of the school is 265. The proposed capacity will be 288 pupils. The exact number of pupils that can be accommodated at any given time will be dependent upon the individual needs of the pupils on roll. The number of pupils registered at the school as of the May 2026 school census was 263.
The proposal will not alter the school's designation, age range, admissions arrangements or the categories of special educational needs catered for by the school. This proposal is not expected to adversely affect any other education institutions.
Expansion details
The objective of the proposal is to increase the school’s capacity to ensure that sufficient special school places are available in Luton to meet growing demand. Current projections indicate that the school will exceed its existing capacity during this academic year. To address this, two additional classrooms will increase capacity at the Leagrave site, to accommodate up to 288 pupils.
Forecasts show that demand for places at Lady Zia Wernher School will exceed the current capacity during this academic year. The proposed expansion will ensure sufficient specialist places are available to meet this increased demand.
The estimated cost of providing the two additional classrooms is £650,000, which will be met through Department for Education capital funding allocated to Luton Council. Additional revenue funding will be made available to support the education and care needs of the increased pupil cohort.
Have your say
Give your feedback on this proposal by following the consultation survey link