Jan 10, 2023, Norwich and Winsford Guardian: Funding bid submitted for special needs school in Middlewich https://www.northwichguardian.co.uk/news/23240741.funding-bid-submitted-special-needs-school-middlewich/
NW England
CHESHIRE East has applied for funding to set up two new free schools for children with special educational needs….
The council has earmarked Cledford House in Middlewich and land on the Giants Wood housing development in Congleton as potential sites for the new schools.
A report due to go before Monday’s (January 16) meeting of the children and families committee at Westfields states: “If successful, having two further SEN special schools will provide an additional 120 in-borough places which will reduce the dependency on high-cost independent provisions.”
If the application is successful, the 60-place Middlewich school would be for children and young people with needs relating to social, emotional and mental health (SEMH).
The report states: “In recent years we have seen a significant increase in the requirement for special school places for early years children, especially around primary need of social emotional and mental health.
“Currently, 25 per cent of the 3,834 EHCPs (education, health and care plans) are identified for SEMH, and it is on this basis that this application has been put in.”
The 60-place Congleton school would be for pupils with autism spectrum condition (ASC). The report says there has also been a significant rise in the requirement for special school places for early years children, especially around primary need of ASC.
Cledford House, on Long Lane South, in Middlewich, is owned by the council and was previously a school, but in recent years has been used for offices….
If the council is successful with these applications, the capital required for building would be provided by the DfE.
The council would be required to fund each pupil, but that would be cheaper than paying for the children to be educated at independent specialist schools outside the borough.
It is estimated it could be £35,700 [$43K] a year less for each pupil….
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