More special needs places to meet growing demand

Hampshire County Council is planning to create a total of 166 new SEND places

Approval has been granted to create 78 additional special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) places across six schools in Hampshire from September.

The extra places are needed to meet a growing demand driven by an increase in education, health, and care plans (EHCPs).

In Hampshire, more than 17,700 pupils have EHCPs, which detail extra support children may need, and 40% of these students require a place in a specialist school.

During the year, Hampshire County Council expects to create 166 new places, including the ones approved, to help meet the demand, which is forecast to rise to 28,000 by 2030.

The lack of sufficient provision within Hampshire schools has increased placements within the independent and non-maintained sector (INMSS).

If the council depended on INMSS, it would cost an estimated £5.5m for the same number of places, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The proposal includes schools in New Forest, Havant, Hart, East Hampshire, and Basingstoke.

The places will offer provision for children with autism and emotional and mental health needs, as well as moderate and severe learning difficulties, such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dyspraxia.

'Growing demand'

Council lead for education Steve Forster said: "Hampshire, like many local authorities nationally, continues to see growing demand for specialist school places and shortfalls in national funding."

He said it often resulted in pupils with SEND being placed in independent and non-maintained schools to "fulfil the county council's statutory obligations".

"These proposals are part of our ambitions to meet more pupils' needs closer to home, reduce our reliance on independent schools, and cut down on transport costs," Mr Forster added.

The six schools joining the SEND expansion programme are:

Bartley Junior School, New Forest

Crookhorn College, Havant

Fleet Infant School, Fleet

Velmead Junior School, Fleet

Hollywater School, Bordon

Maple Ridge School, Basingstoke