(UK) Bedfordshire to have new SPED school

July 27, 2017, Bedfordshire (UK) News: New special needs free school to be opened in Bedford borough http://www.bedfordshire-news.co.uk/applications-open-to-run-new-200-place-special-school-in-bedford/story-30458875-detail/story.html APPLICATIONS to run a new special free school in Bedford borough have opened today. Bedford Borough is among 19 local authorities chosen by the Department for Education to open a new special free school. From today, the council will begin taking applications from sponsors interested in running a 200-place special free school (ages three to 19). Schools System Minister, Lord Nash, said: "Free schools are providing many good new school places in response to the needs of communities across the country. "This process will give local authorities the chance to identify expert organisations with proven track records in special educational needs and disability provision to run special schools that will help hundreds of children fulfill their potential." More than 1,600 new special free school places will be created across England as 19 local authorities invite applications to run new special free schools…. The new schools are part of the most-recent wave of free schools approved in April, and are separate from government plans to open 30 free schools in partnership with local authorities – as recently announced by Education Secretary, Justine Greening.