Salford families have been invited to an open day for a new school providing specialist support to children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The Quayside school in Weaste will cater for 30 students aged between 5 and 19 with autism and learning disabilities from the beginning of the new school year in September.
Parents across Salford seeking specialist education for their children have been invited to attend a drop-in open day from 3pm-6pm on Thursday, 7 May at the school on Cemetery Road, M5 5WG.
Education provider Bright Futures said the school will provide a “state-of-the-art learning environment” and explained that the building has been designed to “support students with complex needs to thrive both academically and personally.
Bright Futures has a strong track record of delivering high-quality SEND education, with its schools in Ash Meadow School in St Helens and Willow Tree Park School in Lymm both rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted.
“Building works are now complete, following extensive development on site. The Education Team can now begin transforming the space into a vibrant, nurturing learning environment – enriched with specialist resources, therapeutic spaces, and tailored learning areas designed to support every student to thrive.
“Bright Futures currently operates two specialist schools and a college in Lymm and St Helens, supporting children and adults with autism, learning disabilities, and complex needs. The opening of Quayside School represents a bold step forward in the organisation’s mission to deliver sector-leading, forward-thinking education that puts students, families, and outcomes first.
“The new school will be equipped with modern facilities and staffed by a multidisciplinary team of highly trained teachers, therapists, and SEND professionals. Students will benefit from a highly personalised approach, including individual learning plans, integrated therapeutic support, and a broad, holistic curriculum designed to prepare them for life beyond the classroom.
“If you’d like to take a look around, Bright Futures is hosting an Open Day on Thursday 7 May at the school to open their doors and invite local communities, families, and local authority partners in to see the space.”
Commenting on the development, Nicola Wells, Executive Education Lead at Bright Futures, said: “We are incredibly proud to be expanding into Salford, following the support of commissioners, and to be bringing a new specialist school to Greater Manchester.
“As we prepare for Quayside School to open in 2026, we are excited to embed our values, expertise, and passion for inclusive education – creating opportunities for children and young people to flourish, and delivering meaningful impact for families and the communities we serve.
“The opening of Quayside School reinforces Bright Futures’ mission to ensure that every child, regardless of need, has access to high-quality, compassionate education that enables them to reach their full potential.”
Parents are advised to contact Quayside by email at quayside@brightfuturescare.co.uk to book a place on the open day.
