Column: Council is investing in SEND school provision right across the county
As Nottinghamshire Council’s cabinet member for education and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), I’m proud to take on a role that means a great deal to me personally.
My own family’s experiences of the system mean that I am determined to make a real difference for children and young people across Nottinghamshire.
Every child deserves to feel they belong.
We’re working closely with schools to help more young people with additional needs access the right support in mainstream settings when that’s appropriate.
At the same time, we know the rising demand for education, health and care plans means we must continue to provide more specialist places.
It’s good news that the goal to create 490 new specialist SEND places by 2026 has been exceeded.
So far, we’ve delivered 570 new places, with nearly 300 more in the pipeline.
We are investing in increasing the provision and providing environments where children with complex needs can thrive.
I had the privilege of visiting the £30m Horizons Academy in Mansfield recently and was genuinely impressed by the high‑quality facilities, the dedicated staff and the enthusiasm of the young people.
The school provides a calm, modern and nurturing environment for up to 160 pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs.
As well as new academies, we continue to invest significantly in existing schools.
That includes a £2.3m contribution to create 28 additional places at Yeoman Park Academy in Mansfield Woodhouse, the creation of a new 24‑place satellite special school in Mansfield, and 10 enhanced provision units across mainstream schools that have generated 80 new places.
Looking ahead, further developments include expansions at St Giles Special School in Retford, offering up to 50 new places, and Foxwood Academy in Bramcote, which could provide a further 150.
We’re also investing £1.1m in developing a SEND unit at the Samuel Barlow Primary Academy in Clipstone with 24 places.
And a contribution of more than £285,000 will create additional places at Fountaindale special school near Mansfield.
I am pleased also that most recently, we have made a decision to continue using the site of Dean Hole Primary School, in Newark, by working with Newark Orchard Special School and the Community Inclusive Multi-Academy Trust on an interim solution to support up to 20 pupils with additional needs, while longer‑term provision is developed.
We want to focus on providing the right support, at the right time, in the right place.
Recent national reforms to the SEND system are currently out for consultation and I encourage local families to have their say.