A new specialist school in Merstham which is opening its doors to pupils tomorrow (Thursday, September 4) says it’s responding to a clear need in its Surrey catchment area.

Aurora Chaldon School will support young people aged 11 to 16 with social communication, emotional regulation and sensory processing difficulties, typically associated with autism.

It is operated by The Aurora Group, who run three other services in Surrey, Aurora Poppyfield School, in Effingham, and Aurora Redehall School and Caterham Education Centre (CEC) in the village of Smallfield. Up until 2020, Redehall was a primary school but Aurora expanded the site to include CEC which has provided pupils with the next stage of their education.

“We’ve now outgrown Caterham,” said Aurora Surrey schools’ Principal David Thomas, “which is why we’re opening Chaldon School. It’s larger, has a bigger outside space and can more easily support the needs of our growing number of young learners.

placeholder image — Chaldon Head of School Amy Thoreau

“Everyone who visits is excited by the range of opportunities the site can offer. We continue to work with Surrey, our host Local Authority (LA), and other partner LAs to help provide much-needed high quality support for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

“After so much work and planning, it’s incredible to see the school ready to support students, with a range of specialist learning spaces including construction, horticulture, art and science in addition to large, bright, low-arousal classrooms.”

Parent Susan Williams, from Tatsfield, whose son Tyler is diagnosed with complex Autism Spectrum Disorder, said: “My son has progressed so much since first starting at Redehall then progressing on to Caterham Education Centre. He’s now looking forward to starting at Chaldon. With all it has to offer, I believe this move will be the making of Tyler.”

Head of School at Chaldon is Amy Thoreau (pictured), who took up her role this week.