Hurray! Our voices have been heard!
In a press release published on Tuesday 26 March, the government announced that it’s investing a record amount of money (£850 million, to be exact) to create over 60,000 new school places for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
This means more children and young people will get the support they need to thrive in safe, accessible environments, which really is music to our ears.
In November 2023, we reported that the rapid rise in SEND students is adding to an already large backlog, and that this need is continuously going unmet, hampering educational outcomes for students.
We here at Schools North East, along with our partner NNoSS (National Network of Special Schools for School Business Professionals), have been advocating for a strategic, long-term solution for a long, long time now, so it truly is wonderful to see one slowly begin to emerge.
The funding means that whether the pupil has autism, learning difficulties, or mobility issues, there will be more resources available to give them the encouragement and support they deserve while learning in school.
This additional support includes help communicating with classmates, tackling learning challenges, and managing any physical needs they may have.
Chris Zarraga, Director of Schools North East, said: “This is a huge win in the fight against ensuring all children feel included and looked after while at school, and that they get the very best chance at success.
“Feedback from school leaders revealed that, as we reached the halfway point of the Autumn term, the system in the North East was already working at capacity. So this is long overdue but a step in the right direction.”
How has the North East been impacted?
When combined with the places already being created by the special free schools programme, this funding is creating over 60,000 new places right across the country, including Birmingham, Leeds, and West Sussex.
But what can we expect in our region?
Middlesbrough, Darlington, and South Tyneside were three of the local local authorities that were successful in applying for the opening of a new special school in the area. The three chosen trusts are all Schools North East Partner Trusts, too!
In Middlesbrough, Horizons Specialist Academy Trust will open ‘Fairfax Primary Academy’, which will have a proposed number of 90 full time equivalent places. The proposed SEND designation will cover autistic spectrum disorder, social and emotional mental health, speech, language and communication.
In Darlington, The Education Village Academy Trust will open ‘The Garden Village School’ with 48 places covering autistic spectrum disorder.
And over in South Tyneside, Prosper Learning Trust will open ‘South Tyneside Special Free School’ with 56 places covering social and emotional mental health.
We wish these trusts every success in adapting to these positive changes, and we look forward to seeing the wonderful impact they’ll have on the lives of the children as well as the wider community.
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