CREATING the right environment for young people of all abilities to grow and flourish is the driving force behind plans for more special education provision in North East Lincolnshire.
With too many students still having to travel outside the borough to receive special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) learning support, development is underway to ensure their needs are met close to home.
North East Lincolnshire Council is working closely with education and health partners on a number of schemes across the borough’s communities to open over 200 places between 2025 and 2027 specifically for children who have an Education Health and Care Plan.
“Our vision is to create a new education provision for children who have difficulties with a range of special educational needs, where they can receive proper support and access a good quality education whilst remaining in their home town,” explains Cllr Margaret Cracknell, council Portfolio Holder for Children and Education.
Plans include:
- A new 150-place specialist education provision for children aged eight to 19 who are in key stage 2-5 and have difficulties with their social, emotional and mental health has been approved by the Department for Education (DfE). Discussions are now taking place to consider suitable locations for the school.
- An extension to Cambridge Park Special School, which will see up to 12 places re-purposed for children and young people aged 14 to 19, offering specialist education tailored to their needs. The placements will be specifically designed for children who have an Education, Health and Care Plan with a primary need of Autistic Spectrum Disorder or a Learning Disability, or both. The accommodation will be bespoke to the needs of the children, including two purpose built classrooms each with a break-out space, dining area and specially designed outdoor area.
- Following on from the success of the Launchpad, an additional 50 places are going to open over the next two years at various schools across North East Lincolnshire. The Launchpad is a resource specialist provision, which welcomed its first cohort of students in 2023 and is receiving praise from parents and carers. It offers 12 primary school places for children with communication and interaction needs and is the first of its kind in North East Lincolnshire. Designed to be a ‘turnaround provision’ for early years children and those in Key Stage 1 (aged 4, 5 and 6), it offers targeted support with the aim of getting children mainstream school ready and back into school.
For more information on these projects, visit: www.nelincs.gov.uk/building-new-schools.
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