Feb 25, 2022, Kent Online: Sevenoaks special needs children may have to travel to Dartford https://www.kentonline.co.uk/sevenoaks/news/special-needs-nursery-school-could-move-seven-miles-away-263100/
SE England
Special needs pupils attending a Sevenoaks school may have to travel to another Kent borough for their studies.
Kent County Council (KCC) has unveiled £938,000 [$1.3M] plans to relocate from a nursery at Milestone Academy in New Ash Green to Cherry Orchard Primary Academy in Ebbsfleet Valley near Dartford.
Both schools have been rated outstanding by Ofsted and described as popular with parents.
Ian Watts, KCC's north Kent's area education officer, has revealed a need to provide "cost-effective" solutions amid a rising demand for special school places this decade. …
If no further action is taken, KCC says it will be "extremely difficult" to provide sufficient special school places in the northern part of Kent….
"A special needs nursery fulfils an essential place for the community and for the well being and educational needs of children with challenges to their achieving their potential."
Both schools and the trust are fully supportive of the proposal, according to the county council….
