Funding boost for SEND places announced

The government is investing £850 million for councils to create 60,000 new places for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and in Alternative Provision (AP) in mainstream and special schools, and to improve the accessibility of existing buildings.

This will provide specialist support for children with autism, learning difficulties, mobility difficulties and more to meet their extra needs, including extra encouragement in their learning, help communicating with other children and support with physical or personal care difficulties, such as using the toilet or getting around the school safely. 

Education secretary Gillian Keegan said: "Whether in special or mainstream schools, we’re ensuring every child gets a world-class education, and the support they need to reach their potential."

The funding is set to create over 60,000 new places across the country. This is helping to increase capacity, following a decrease in pupils in special schools from 1997 to 2010.

Additionally, schools and sixth form colleges will receive £1.8 billion of funding to help maintain their buildings. It will support schools to invest in projects like refurbishing classrooms, improving playgrounds and installing new windows, as well as larger projects such as upgrading heating systems, replacing roofs or rewiring electrical systems.

Eden Academy Trust is one of the trusts that has been selected to run one of the 30 new special free schools in Hillingdon.

It will provide specialist support 180 children with autism and severe learning difficulties in London.

CEO of the Eden Academy Trust Susan Douglas said: "We know the life-changing impact that a successful special school can have on pupils and families and we are proud to work with the DfE and local authorities to expand places where we can so that more pupils are in the right setting."