Bracknell Forest Council to cut education spend under emergency plan

Parent Emma Hester said the deal would result in "draconian" cuts

A council has joined a controversial government programme to reduce its overspend on children with special educational needs (SEN).

Bracknell Forest Council said the Department for Education would pay it £16m over the next six years.

It said in return it would build two dedicated SEN schools and put more SEN children in mainstream schools.

However, head teacher Grant Strudley said the plan did not prioritise the needs of children.

The former Labour councillor, who works at Crown Wood Primary School in Bracknell, told the borough's Schools Forum: "The entire basis of SEN provision in this borough is now predicated on saving money.

"It is about putting children into provision that is unsuitable. It is a fallacy because we're still going to end up in deficit at the end of it.

"SEN provision is a shambles... And it is beginning to affect children without SEN because... we do not have the resources to do our job in schools."

The government will pay Bracknell Forest Council £16m

Parent Emma Hester said the government grants would depend on "draconian" cuts to SEN services.

Ms Hester, whose daughter has special needs, said: "We're going to have children in mainstream schools whose needs aren't met.

"They become overwhelmed, disregulated and they simply can't manage."

Ms Hester said the deal would involve taking money away from schools to fund the budget deficit.

Councillor Roy Bailey, in charge of children and learning, said joining the government's Safety Valve programme would increase specialist provision in the borough.

He said: "New schools, better technology and improved early intervention services... will provide better educational support to the children and young people who need it most.

"We want our children and young people with SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) to achieve their full potential in their early years, at school and in college and lead happy and fulfilled lives."

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