Feb 14, 2025, Portsmouth News: Extra school places to be created at Crookhorn College for children with autism
Extra secondary school places are set to be created in a Waterlooville school for children with autism as the county council tries to cut down on costs despite a growing demand.
As of November 2023, the number of maintained education, health and care plans (EHCPs) in Hampshire County Council was 15,954. By 2030/31, the council expects there to be around 28,000 pupils who will have a plan which aims to ensure they get the support they need. As a result, and due to the lack of sufficient provision within Hampshire schools, the county council has increased its dependency on placements within the independent and non-maintained sector (INMSS). These have an average cost of £61,200 [$77K] compared to £17,636 [$22K] for a place offered within a mainstream school.
To reduce costs and to offer local provision for Hampshire students, the county council will create 15 extra secondary places at Crookhorn College for young people with autistic spectrum conditions (ASC) that aim to open in phases from September 2025. The college in Stakes Hill Road currently provides education to 889 pupils from 11 to 16 years old. . . .
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