June 4, 2019, Blackpool Gazette: Work to start this month on Blackpool's special Lotus school https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/business/work-to-start-this-month-on-blackpool-s-special-lotus-school-1-9802328 Work is due to start this month on the second of two Blackpool school projects worth together more than £5m. Bamber Bridge-based Eric Wright Construction’s Special Projects division has been commissioned by Blackpool Council and the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) to build two new school facilities. … Eric Wright’s Special Project team has also been awarded the contract to deliver the new 48 pupil Lotus School, which is designed for children with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs. … The school is designed to save the authority hundreds of thousands of pounds a year which is currently spent on sending challenging pupils to schools outside the borough. Blackpool does not currently have specialist provision for SEMH pupils, with youngsters transported instead to 16 independent special schools outside the town. … Councillor Kath Benson, Cabinet Member for Schools, Education and Aspiration said: "The brand new, purpose-built facility will provide high-quality care and education for the growing number of children in our town who have special educational needs, closer to their homes. … … “The delivery of these two new school projects continues our long association with Blackpool and we are proud to be appointed to deliver these new facilities for the local community….

Childhood Lost
Children today are noticeably different from previous generations, and the proof is in the news coverage we see every day. This site shows you what’s happening in schools around the world. Children are increasingly disabled and chronically ill, and the education system has to accommodate them. Things we've long associated with autism, like sensory issues, repetitive behaviors, anxiety and lack of social skills, are now problems affecting mainstream students. Blame is predictably placed on bad parenting (otherwise known as trauma from home).
Addressing mental health needs is as important as academics for modern educators. This is an unrecognized disaster. The stories here are about children who can’t learn or behave like children have always been expected to. What childhood has become is a chilling portent for the future of mankind.
Loss of Brain Trust features over 9,000 news stories published worldwide since January, 2017
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