£3 billion to create SEND places in mainstream schools

The government has announced at least £3 billion to create tens of thousands of new specialist SEND places in mainstream schools.

The education secretary announced an expansion of specialist, calm learning spaces in mainstream schools, equipped with facilities to support children with special educational needs and disabilities.

This means that young people shouldn't have to travel miles for their needs to be met, and instead will be able to get support in tailor-made spaces with the right facilities while also mixing with other classes for subjects or parts of the day that are appropriate for them. 

At least 180,000 pupils with SEND currently receive transport to school. 9 per cent of these journeys are in single-occupancy vehicles like taxis.

The government has also confirmed it will deliver on all 10,000 places due to be created by planned special free schools. This will be done either by building the planned schools, or by giving local authorities the funding to create the equivalent number of specialist places themselves.

More details are due to be published in the Schools White Paper.

The 2026-27 allocations will be issued in Spring.

Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, said: "A child’s background should not determine where they end up. Education is the route to opportunity, and opportunity should be for every child, regardless of their individual needs and circumstances.

"For too many families, the reality has been very different, but this government will fix the broken education system for children and young people with SEND by making sure that their local school is also the right school. Ahead our reforms next year, we’re laying the foundations of a new system that shifts children with SEND from forgotten to included and earns the confidence of parents. 

"This £3 billion investment will transform lives. It will open the door to opportunity for tens of thousands of children with SEND, giving them the chance to learn, belong and succeed in their local community. This is how we build an education system that works for every child."