As reported by the BBC, the government has announced a £3bn shake-up of England’s school building programme, shifting investment away from new free schools towards expanding existing provision to create more local places for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities
As first reported by the BBC, ministers have unveiled plans to overhaul the school building programme in England, pledging tens of thousands of additional places for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Rather than pressing ahead with dozens of new school builds, the focus will move to expanding and adapting schools already in place.
As part of the reforms, the government has confirmed it will cancel 28 planned mainstream free schools following a recent consultation, with a further 16 schemes still under consideration. The funding earmarked for these projects will instead be made available to councils, allowing them to enlarge existing schools and develop specialist facilities to support SEND pupils within their communities.
Local authorities will also be given greater discretion over 77 proposed special free schools. They may continue with construction or redirect the funding to create an equivalent number of specialist places through alternative local arrangements.
Ministers say the shift in capital spending is designed to cut down on lengthy journeys for SEND pupils and ensure support is delivered closer to home. The £3bn investment will be phased in over the next three years.
Be the first to comment