(UK) Doncaster: Special schools "overcrowded"

April 4, 2025, Doncaster Free Press: Special schools in Doncaster overcrowded – as 'huge amount of work needed to rescue the special needs system'

N. England

Special schools in Doncaster were overcrowded last academic year, new figures show.

Last week the Department for Education announced 10,000 new school places will be funded for children with special educational needs.

It comes after the Government set aside £740 million [$954M] in December to increase places for SEND pupils.

New DfE figures show there were 814 SEND pupils on roll in Doncaster in the 2023-24 school year, but only 795 places in special schools – meaning schools were overcrowded.

Meanwhile, there was a gap of 6,574 places in special schools across England, with 160,036 SEND pupils on roll last year, but only 153,462 places available.