(UK) England: SPED numbers ‘forecast to increase’ in the years to come

Apr 3, 2025, Chad: Special schools in Nottinghamshire overcrowded as 'huge amount of work needed to rescue system'

https://www.chad.co.uk/education/special-schools-in-nottinghamshire-overcrowded-as-huge-amount-of-work-needed-to-rescue-system-5065135#  

E. Midlands

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

Last month, the Department for Education (DfE) announced that 10,000 new school places will be funded for children with special educational needs (SEND).

New DfE figures show there were 1,346 SEND pupils on the educational roll

in Nottinghamshire in the 2023-24 school year, but that there were only 1,323 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.

The DfE said the proportion of pupils with an education, health and care plan – which sets out the provision of SEND support needed – that will need a place in specialist provision in England is ‘forecast to increase’ in the years to come.

Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: "Both mainstream and special schools lack the capacity and resources required to best support the growing number of Send pupils and it’s clear this needs to change.

"There is a huge amount of work that needs to be done to rescue the SEND system and ensure all pupils get timely and effective support.