More than 80 new special school places coming for Plymouth
A £13 million programme will bring extra provision from September
More than 80 new special school places will be in place in Plymouth from September, through a £13 million programme.
The City Council say it's aimed at improving support for children with special needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
A new satellite provision for Mill Ford School will provide 50 special school places in Reception and years 1 and 2.
£161,000 from the Department for Education’s high needs provision capital allocation fund will also go into creating places on the grounds of Riverside Community Primary in St Budeaux.
The new places for the next school year have already been allocated to children with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP).
Councillor Sally Cresswell, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Apprenticeships, said: “We have seen a huge rise in demand for special school places in recent years, with far more requests for places than the number of places available.
“We understand how frustrating this can be for families and our SEND Sufficiency plan clearly sets out how we will maximise the limited resources available in order to provide more specialist provision so that our children and young people with SEND receive the support they need.”
Fred Thomas, MP for Plymouth Moor View, has also welcomed the additional places:
"This is really good news for SEND children and their families in our city. I know that Plymouth City Council are committed to addressing the shortage of special school places and are working really hard to do so.
"The announcement of these new places is incredibly welcome. However, It doesn't solve the problem, which stems from a national crisis in SEND education. I have been working closely with the council on this and I am committed to continuing to work with them and the government to tackle this issue.
"My first visit as an MP was to Mill Ford School, so I am very aware of the challenges they are facing there - this issue remains one of my top priorities."