Funding approved for extra SEND support at schools

Three primary schools in Warwickshire are to receive new resources for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support, with another school set to see an increase in places.

Warwickshire County Council approved to allocate more than £320,000 at a meeting of councillors on Thursday.

Binley Woods Primary School, While St Oswald's CofE Academy and Brownsover Community School are among the recipients.

The council said demand for specialist provision had continued to grow, and the number of pupils in the county with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) had increased every year for the past five years.

Binley Woods Primary School is to get ten new places for pupils with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) whose primary needs are related to communication and interaction (C&I).

St Oswald's CofE Academy, subject to Department for Education approval of a "significant change" application, is to receive a new eight- place Communication and Interaction resourced provision.

Brownsover Community School will also benefit with a new eight-place C&I provision, while Paddox Primary School will see an immediate increase of two places within the existing Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) offer.

"We are committed to ensuring that children and young people with SEND can access the right support, in the right place, at the right time," said councillor Wayne Briggs, portfolio holder for education at the council.

"The decisions taken by Cabinet will increase specialist resourced provision within mainstream schools, helping more children to thrive in their local communities."

The authority said it was looking to increase the number of resourced provision places to more than 500 by 2028.

Councillor Stephen Shaw, portfolio holder for finance and property, said: "This targeted investment of £321k demonstrates our continued commitment to using capital funding responsibly and strategically to meet growing demand for specialist provision.

"By expanding resourced provision within existing school sites, we are making effective use of our assets, ensuring value for money and helping to reduce longer-term pressures on the High Needs budget, including transport costs, while delivering improved local access for families."

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