Barrow MP Simon Fell has said he was ‘concerned’ at Westmorland and Furness council’s proposal to place a new special school in the Eden area.
Earlier this month, Westmorland and Furness Council received confirmation from government that its bid for a new special school for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) had been successful as one of 16 locations across England, that together will provide dedicated support for over 2,000 children with special educational needs and disabilities.
The council say they are aiming to locate the school within the Eden area and the application was for approximately 140 places for children aged four-19 with autism and speech, communications and language difficulties.
MP for Barrow and Furness Simon Fell said in a letter to Sam Plum chief executive of the Westmorland and Furness Council, he was ‘delighted’ with the government’s announcement to improve SEND provision and rectify the ‘chronic lack’ of SEND school places.
But he added: “I am however concerned at the council’s chosen location for the new school in the Eden area.
“As you are aware from my ongoing correspondence with you regarding SEND education in Barrow & Furness there are many families in need of schools closer to home.”
His letter says: “Constituents tell me that it is often the case that the school that caters towards their child’s specific needs is full, meaning that the child goes to another specialist school or a mainstream school which may not be able to fully support their child’s needs.”
The letter to chief executive of the council questions how the provision of a SEND school in Eden would benefit the whole of Westmorland and Furness.
Mr Fell also asked what measures the council would be taking to ensure SEND provision in Barrow and Furness receives the improvements it ‘desperately needs’ .
In response, chief executive of the council Sam Plum said in a letter to the MP: “Currently, the most northerly special school is in Kendal and there isn’t a Special School in Eden, which means parents, carers and families do not have the necessary provision for their children and young people.
“Any increase in Specialist provision will impact positively across Westmorland and Furness, including Barrow, as it will increase capacity within the entire system.
“With regards to Barrow, the council have invested in Channelside Alternative Provision which will be opening in January 2025 and will increase specialist places within the Barrow area.”
Penrith and The Border MP Dr Neil Hudson said:
"Our new local special school - and the 15 others across England - will help ensure that every child reaches their full potential through enriching, fulfilling education, no matter their specific needs.”
"I'm delighted our Conservative Government has chosen Cumbria to host a school. I know this will be well received by my constituents who are set to benefit from world-leading education."
Education Secretary, Gillian Keegan, speaking on the announcement of the 16 new schools said "Special schools can truly transform children’s lives, enabling pupils with special education needs and disabilities to thrive in environments that meet their needs.”
"I know how hard it can be for families trying to navigate the SEND system, and the creation of more brilliant special schools is just one part of our plan to make sure every family and every child get the right support, in the right place at the right time."
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