(UK) Havering: Special school for 300 approved; $41.7M overspend in SPED
- The end of childhood
- 2 days ago
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Dec 14, 2025, My London: Plans for new school in Havering - but locals fear there's not enough buses
Critics of the scheme say it could worsen traffic congestion in the area
A new special needs school in Gidea Park with space for more than 300 pupils has been approved by Havering Council. . . .
It will still need to go before the Mayor of London and the Greater London Authority ahead of its referral to the Secretary of State. The school will cater to students with social, emotional, and mental health needs, Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC) and severe learning difficulties between the ages of four and 19.
The council says it will help meet a “pressing need” for additional SEN school places in the borough and “will help ensure students are taught in specialist, purpose-built buildings specifically suited to their particular learning needs”. . . .
The council hopes the school will take the pressure off its social care budget, having overspent by a total of £31.2million [$41.7M]. In some instances, the council pays for SEND children to attend specialist schools outside the borough due to a shortage of places.
It is slated to open in September 2027.
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