Lime Academy Hornbeam Expansion Creates up to a 100 Additional Specialist School Places

Gail Khan Associates (GKA) were delighted to support Lime Academy Trust in the successful expansion of Lime Academy Hornbeam through the creation of its new satellite provision, Lime Academy Hornbeam – Maple Green Campus, which will open in September 2026. Beginning in January 2026, GKA worked alongside Trust leaders, local authority colleagues and key stakeholders to lead the development of the Significant Change Business Case, manage the statutory consultation process, coordinate engagement with the Department for Education and subsequently develop and secure approval for the associated Land Transaction Application. GKA also provided ongoing project management support to help oversee the development of the new campus from concept through to opening. 

The project was developed in response to growing demand for specialist SEND provision within Waltham Forest. The new campus enables Lime Academy Hornbeam to expand from two sites to three, creating capacity for an additional 100 pupils through a phased growth model. The provision will initially welcome 40 pupils before increasing further over subsequent years, helping to meet the local need while reducing reliance on out-of-borough specialist placements.  

The expansion will allow Lime Academy Hornbeam to further enhance its specialist offer by creating dedicated spaces tailored to the needs of different groups of learners of all ages. The new primary-focused campus has been developed within a former early years setting and benefits from extensive outdoor learning facilities, while investment from Waltham Forest Council will enhance teaching spaces and specialist facilities to support pupils with a range of additional needs.  

Key milestones for the project included approval of the Significant Change Business Case in March 2026, approval of the Land Transaction Application in June 2026 and the opening of Lime Academy Hornbeam – Maple Green Campus in September 2026. Together, these achievements mark a significant investment in SEND education and a collaborative commitment to ensuring more children can access high-quality specialist provision within their local community. 

Kirsten Jowett, CEO Lime Academy Trust said “The opening of Maple Green Campus represents a significant milestone for Lime Trust, the local authority and for children and families across Waltham Forest. This expansion allows us to increase the availability of high-quality specialist provision while creating learning environments that are carefully designed to meet the needs of our pupils. We are grateful to our partners, including Gail Khan Associates, whose expertise and support helped us successfully navigate the approval process and bring this ambitious project to fruition.” 

This project demonstrates how effective partnership working, strategic planning and strong stakeholder engagement can be used to deliver meaningful improvements in educational provision and create additional opportunities for pupils who need specialist support. It has been a pleasure to support Lime Academy Trust throughout this journey, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact the Maple Green Campus will have on pupils, families and the wider community. 

For support with significant change applications, land transaction approvals, school expansion projects and strategic education consultancy, contact hello@gailkhanassociates.co.uk