New 'emergency' places promised for SEND pupils

North Northamptonshire Council said two schools in Kettering would get the places

New school places for almost 50 children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) have been announced by a council.

Conservative-led North Northamptonshire Council said the "emergency" move would affect two schools in Kettering, Northamptonshire.

The expansions will be funded by the Department for Education and are estimated to cost £3.1m.

Labour councillors welcomed the places but said the provision was "quite inadequate".

Greenfields Primary School and Southfield School for Girls, both in Kettering, would get new SEND units from the plan, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

The additional unit at the all-girls secondary school will provide a further 16 places for pupils with, or being assessed for, autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) and social emotional mental health (SEMH).

Students will be able to join the school as early as September 2024.

'Chronic underfunding'

The unit at Greenfield Primary School will cater to children who require extra help with their speech, language and communication, with a total of 32 extra places.

Scott Edwards, the council's executive member for children, families, education and skills, said: "We know that we don't have enough places for children with EHCPs, [education health care plans] which is why we are creating this.

"I thank the leader for taking it as an emergency and putting it forward, so we can get on with the building ready for the September intake."

William Colquhoun, a Labour councillor, said: "Like so many of the nation's problems nowadays, chronic underfunding has blighted our education system.

"It's great that we have an increase in SEND provision but I would argue that the increase is still quite inadequate for various reasons."

What have the parties said about SEND?

The decision has been made in the middle of the general election campaign where SEND provision is one of the issues being discussed by the politicians.

The Conservatives said they would "transform" education for SEND children by delivering 60,000 more school places and a further 15 new free specialist schools across the country.

Labour's manifesto said the party would improve inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools, as well as ensuring special schools cater to those with the most complex needs.

The Liberal Democrats said they would establish a new national body for SEND to fund support for children with very high needs and give local authorities more power to provide places for SEND pupils.

The Green Party, Reform UK, Alliance for Democracy and Freedom, Social Democratic Party and independents are also standing in the North Northamptonshire constituencies.