(UK) Hants: Council approves 157 more SPED places in mainstream schools; 'promoting inclusivity'
- The end of childhood
- 6 days ago
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Jan 29, 2026, Hampshire Chronicle: Hampshire council approves 157 specialist SEND school places
A council has approved plans to create 157 new specialist school places for pupils with special needs.
Hampshire County Council announced the decision as part of its ongoing work to expand support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Cllr Steve Forster, executive member for education, said: "By creating these 157 extra specialist places in our schools, we are promoting inclusivity in mainstream education where possible and investing in the future of all our children and young people, regardless of their challenges."
The increase comes in response to rising demand for specialist education across the county, with the number of pupils requiring support through an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) reaching 20,555 as of December 2025, up from 17,234 in September 2024.
About 40 per cent of these pupils need specialist provision, either in a special school or a resourced provision within a mainstream school. . . .
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