Locations have today been announced by Government for 16 new special free schools and trusts appointed at a further 7 schools, providing thousands of vital places across England providing dedicated support for over 2,000 children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The announcement follows investment of £105 million confirmed by the chancellor at this year’s spring budget, and is part of the government’s plan in delivering 60,000 more special school places.
Speaking on today’s announcement Education Secretary Gillian Keegan 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.”
“We’re creating tens of thousands of special school places since 2010 and today’s announcement takes us one step closer to our commitment of a record 60,000 more places for children with additional 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.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury Laura Trott said “Every child deserves the chance to reach their full potential. “
“That’s why we’re opening 200 Special Schools across the country, ensuring every child receives a best-in-class education.”
Westmorland and Furness is among the 16 local authority areas that have today been announced as chosen as one of the locations for a new special free school.
Westmorland and Furness Council has welcomed news that its bid for a new special school for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) has been successful.
The council had applied to the Department for Education for a new special school with approximately 140 places for children aged 4-19 with autism and speech, communications and language difficulties.
The new school will provide dedicated support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and will add much needed capacity to special schools and enable more children to have their needs met closer to home.
The location and design of the school are yet to be determined but the council is aiming for somewhere in the Eden area. The council will now work with the government, partners and SENDAC, parents and carers forum, to deliver the school.
Milorad Vasic, Director of Children’s Services at Westmorland and Furness Council, said: “This is excellent news for our area. It means there’ll be a sizable and well-needed increase in the number of special school places for children and young people with SEND in Westmorland and Furness and I’m really looking forward to seeing this project through to completion.
“We can't confirm an exact location for the school just yet but we are expecting this to be somewhere within the Eden area. We’ll keep residents updated on proposals.
“Westmorland and Furness Council is ambitious for all our children and continuing to improve the experiences and outcomes for children and families with SEND is a key priority.”
Cllr Sue Sanderson, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Skills at Westmorland and Furness Council, said: “This announcement will be music to the ears of many parents in Westmorland and Furness.
“Our ambition as a council is that access to learning is available for all and not limited by disadvantage, additional needs, sparsity of population or transport, and this is a significant step in the right direction.”
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