Special needs schools to benefit from £5.9m funds

Funding for 11 schemes for new and expanded special schools are included in the plans

A £5.9m fund for projects at schools in Stoke-on-Trent including 11 schemes for new and expanded special schools is set to be approved by councillors.

Most of the schemes on the city council’s schools capital programme for 2024-25 are focused on expansions for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

The work would allow more of the city's children to get the education they need closer to their homes, a spokesperson said.

The programme includes £452,000 for the demolition of the old Abbey Hill School to make way for the new Manor Abbey Free School.

Another two free schools, one for autism spectrum disorder pupils and the other for alternative provision, are also planned with the council set to put £250,000 towards the schemes which are led by the Department for Education.

Plans to boost SEND provision at a number of existing schools across the city through either new builds or refurbishments are also included in the program.

Sarah Jane Colclough said the council was committed to supporting SEND pupils in the city

Councillor Sarah Jane Colclough, cabinet member for education, said she was pleased they were increasing the number of SEND school places in the city.

In addition to those schemes, the council is also creating a £1m contingency fund to meet any sudden increased demand for places at Stoke-on-Trent schools over the next year.

In recent years, the authority has focused on expanding secondary places to meet a demographic "bulge" – this wave is expected to peak in September 2025.

Cabinet members will be asked to approve the schools capital programme when they meet on Tuesday.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.