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03/03/2026
Beswicks Legal’s commercial property team is delighted to have advised on the purchase of the former St Joseph’s Preparatory School building in Trent Vale, Stoke-on-Trent.
The team was instructed by Bee Active CEO Ben Mills who seized the opportunity to purchase the premises in Rookery Lane with a view to bringing them back into educational use.
Ben, who has significant experience running school holiday clubs across North Staffordshire and South Cheshire, as well as supporting schools with extracurricular activities and before and after school clubs, was keen to invest in the site, which includes a school building, climbing wall and forest school area.
Beswicks’ Commercial Property Partner Laura Pyatt managed the legal aspects of the purchase for Ben and the subsequent lease of the premises to St Bart’s Multi-Academy Trust.
Following the successful acquisition, Ben has achieved his goal of seeing the site once again utilised for educational purposes. Its new tenants opened The Avenue, a not-for-profit independent school for primary school aged children with complex autism. The school welcomed its first pupils in November 2025 when it was formally opened by panto star Jonny Wilkes.
Speaking about the acquisition of St Joseph’s Prep School, Ben said: “When I first spoke to Lisa Sarikaya, CEO of St Bart’s Multi-Academy Trust, about the growing demand for SEND provision across the city, it was clear just how urgent the need had become. We discussed the increasing pressures on local authorities and the astronomical fees that some independent providers are charging. Lisa was passionate about demonstrating that high-quality, specialist provision could be delivered without exploiting the system or placing unnecessary financial strain on the local authority.
“Acquiring the former St Joseph’s Prep School building gave us the opportunity to support St Bart’s Multi-Academy Trust in creating an independent SEND provision that is ethical, sustainable and rooted in the local community.
“For decades, many children have passed through the doors of St Joseph’s, creating lifelong memories within its classrooms and grounds. The building has always been a place of learning and growth, and it’s incredibly special to see it begin a new chapter in its story. Visiting the site and seeing the children now using the classrooms, outdoor areas and forest school, genuinely fills me with joy. To see it continuing to serve young people in a meaningful and life-changing way is incredibly rewarding. I’m proud to have played a small part in helping make that happen.”
Beswicks’ Commercial Property Partner Laura Pyatt added: “It is always a pleasure to act for Ben and his companies. I was delighted to assist with this latest exciting and hugely worthwhile venture at St Joseph’s and wish both staff and pupils many happy hours of fun and learning at The Avenue.”
Pictured are Lisa Sarikaya, CEO of St Bart’s Multi-Academy Trust, and entertainer Jonny Wilkes at the formal opening of The Avenue Independent Special School.
