West Berkshire Council will decide next week whether to fund a 25-place autism base at John O'Gaunt School in Hungerford as part of the Department for Education's School Rebuilding Programme.
The estimated cost is about £4.45m.
The base aims to tackle a shortage of local specialist secondary autism places, reduce costly out-of-area placements and give pupils dedicated support while still accessing mainstream lessons and facilities where appropriate.
The DfE needs the council to commit funding, so the council's executive committee will consider it next Thursday (November 12) - a formal decision gate to move the project on.
Outline design work is expected between December 2026 and March 2027, with procurement of the design and build contractor in April 2027. Completion is likely in the 2029/30 financial year.
Currently, secondary pupils with complex autism are supported through a mix of mainstream help, existing local specialist provision and placements in independent or out-of-area settings. Rising demand is putting pressure on local capacity, and the council commissions specialist placements where local provision cannot meet need.
Niki Hinman, Local Democracy Reporter
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