(UK) Herts: $186M to create 650 more SPED places by 2029/2030

Mar 27, 2026, New Berkhamsted unit among 80 special education school places created in Herts

Plans for the creation of 80 spaces at four new units for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) at mainstream primary schools in Hertfordshire have been given the go-ahead.

They include a 12-place unit at Morgans Primary in Hertford and one of 24 places at Shepherd Primary in Rickmansworth, both for children with cognition and learning needs, and a 12-place unit at Westfield Primary in Berkhamsted for children with social, emotional and mental health needs.

The plans were approved by Hertfordshire County Council’s cabinet on March 18. The cabinet also backed plans for 32 places for children with severe learning difficulties at the Oakmere Primary site in Potters Bar that would operate as part of Watling View Special School.

According to a report to the cabinet, the capital cost of accommodation for the agreed schemes is £5.494 million.

Overall, £140m [$186M] has been earmarked for the creation of 650 new SEND places at similar units or alternative ‘specialist resource provision’ (SRP) by 2029-30.

The new units and SRPs are designed to sit within mainstream schools, giving children with complex needs the support they need while staying connected to their peers and communities.

Children attending will likely spend most of their time within the unit space, where they will benefit from a smaller nurturing environment, and will have access to some activities in the mainstream setting, such as PE, or subjects where they have particular strengths. . . .  

According to a report to councillors, the need for specialist provision for children with complex needs in Hertfordshire continues to rise.

Many special schools are full, and without additional capacity, children may need to travel “long distances” or go out of county. . . .

It says the new SEND units will enable them to receive targeted specialist intervention whilst maintaining access to the wider curriculum and opportunities of a mainstream setting, and will support inclusion and provide earlier intervention to enable them to remain within their community.

Development of a network of SEND units across the county would build a more consistent offer of specialist support, increasing local capacity and reducing reliance on out-of-area specialist placements, said the report.