(UK) Bucks: $600K for SPED unit; 82% increase in special needs kids in 5 yrs

Jan 6, 2026, BBC News: School to open £450k [$600K] Send unit as demand surges

https://www.aol.com/news/school-open-450k-send-unit-121835828.html?guccounter=1 

A school is preparing to open a new specialist education unit this month after the county saw a surge in demand for places.

The unit will cater for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (Send) - including autism - at Iver Village Junior School in Buckinghamshire.

The new eight-place facility will operate alongside the school's existing 220 mainstream places and will be staffed by specialist teachers and assistants.

Buckinghamshire Council approved plans for the department, with the £450,000 refurbishment paid for by government.

It will be based in refurbished rooms at the front of the school and will have its own outdoor play area in a renovated courtyard.

Over the past five years, the number of children and young people with communication and interaction needs in Buckinghamshire has risen by 82% – an increase of 1,642 pupils.

A further 1,080 children with similar needs are expected to join schools in the county over the next five years, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said. . . .

Paul Griffin, an independent councillor for Iver, said: "I am 100% in support of any initiative that takes learning to a better level for our Send youngsters and am very happy to support this plan.

"It will be fabulous to have this facility in our community and I hope this is the start of something bigger in The Ivers."

Fellow ward councillor Wendy Matthews said she fully supported the plans, describing the unit as a much-needed addition to local Send capacity. . . .