Lottery let down for Herefordshire school leads to setback

The new school, GEM Hereford, is being set up by Mercia Learning, a not-for-profit organisation, and it was hoped a grant from the National Lottery would fund some of the essential start-up costs. 

The school has already received funding from public donations and promises of help from local organisations such as Avara Foods, but it still needs an additional £25k to realise its dream of opening as a fully equipped and furnished school from February.

Senior leaders, from left, Lauren Colder, Debra Thomas and Caroline Phillips.

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Staff member Debra Thomas said: “I was devastated to learn we wouldn’t receive any money.”

Feedback from the National Lottery praised the school’s efforts to meet the needs of children with diagnoses such as ASD, ADHD, anxiety, or trauma. 

But staff were told that they cannot fund the project because they “can’t fund activities that public organisations have a legal responsibility to provide,” said Ms Thomas.

“I’m trying to create a suitable space that will meet the essential needs of children for whom mainstream school is not the right environment,” she said.

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There is currently nothing similar in this area and once set up the school will be able to take children from surrounding areas so they can improve their long-term prospects as a result. 

Trinity House, which is new school premises for children with mental health.

“Now we’re left scrabbling around for further offers of funding for a service, which the National Lottery say public organisations should be providing,” said Ms Thomas. 

She set up Mercia Learning three years ago and has self-funded this project to a certain point. 

Her salary from Mercia Learning goes back into the business to enable it to thrive and grow. 

Part of the plan for growth is to open GEM Hereford to meet an acute and growing need. 

There is currently a distinct lack of provision for children with SEN needs, not only in Hereford, but in neighbouring counties such as Powys, Worcestershire, and Gloucestershire.

Senior leader, Lauren Colder starts the lengthy process of renovating the old nursery at Trinity House.

Once the building is ready and able to provide this essential service, the school will receive local authority funding for the provision, but they will not fund the start-up costs to bring the school to the required standard.

GEM Hereford will be opening after the February half term at Trinity House, in Moor Farm, once it receives final Ofsted approval.

Ms Thomas is continuing with her efforts to find benefactors and raise money for this much needed provision.