Up to 50 new school places for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are to be created in the City of Westminster, London by 2021, while 11 schools will receive investment to help increase provision and improve facilities as part of the Department for Education’s (DfE) Special Provision Capital Fund. Schools were invited to bid for the capital funding earlier this year.
Mainstream schools, academies and special schools, as well as early years settings and further education colleges, are set to benefit from the funding, which aims to improve special provision for children and young people with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).
A share of the funding, £400,000, will be used to set-up a new satellite nursery and facilities for pupils with autism.
Timothy Barnes, cabinet member for economic development, education and skills at Westminster City Council, said, ‘As a local authority we have listened to what families have said they need and want for their children. This funding will help provide everything from a simple changing bench for disabled children to more classroom places so that they can attend local schools.’
Projects which have already been delivered include:
- All Souls Church of England School - £270,000 to set up provision for children with autism.
- Westminster Special Schools - £380,000 to increase its capacity and improve its outdoor space for learning.
Other planned projects include the creation of a new dedicated teaching area for children with autism at ARK Atwood Primary Academy, reconfiguration of classrooms and improvement of provision in a number of schools.
Julie Ely, assistant director for SEN and educational psychology at Westminster City Council, said, ‘Parents have said they want good local schools that are not only inclusive but are able to support children with the broadest range of special educational needs. We’ve listened to what they have told us as we hope these plans make clear, providing both additional spaces and enhanced facilities for local families.’
Hend Rahman, chair of parent-carer forum Make it Happen, added, ‘As a parent of a child with SEN, it’s important to know that our voices have been heard. This funding will improve the lives of families and help to continue to build positive relationships between parents and their schools.’
