The Beckmead Trust Celebrates the Official Opening of The Sir Geoff Hurst Academy

The Beckmead Trust is proud to announce the official opening of The Sir Geoff Hurst School, a state-of-the-art provision dedicated to supporting children and young people with special educational needs. The school welcomed its first cohort this September, marking an exciting new chapter in the Trust’s commitment to inclusive, high-quality education.

Named in honour of England football legend Sir Geoff Hurst — celebrated for his extraordinary sporting achievements and dedication to young people — the school embodies values of perseverance, teamwork, and aspiration. 

During the event, Sir Geoff toured the new facilities, which include specialist classrooms, sensory spaces, therapeutic support areas, and accessible outdoor learning environments. Speaking to guests, he said:

“It’s a real privilege to have a school named after me, but what’s most important is what happens here for these young people every single day. This school will give them the chance to flourish and reach their potential — and that’s a far greater achievement than anything I ever did on the pitch.”

The Sir Geoff Hurst School has been designed to meet the needs of pupils who require a personalised, nurturing approach to learning. Highly trained staff will provide learning programmes that balance academic progress with emotional wellbeing, communication skills, and confidence building.

Jonty Clark, CEO of The Beckmead Trust, said:

“This is a proud moment for the Trust. The Sir Geoff Hurst School represents everything we stand for — high expectations, compassion, and a relentless belief in every child’s ability to succeed. We are delighted to have Sir Geoff’s name attached to such an inspiring place of learning.”

The opening has been met with strong support from parents, local authorities, and community partners. The Beckmead Trust looks forward to watching pupils flourish and the school grow into a vibrant centre of learning, hope, and opportunity for many years to come.