(UK) Lincs: Special needs hubs in 13 schools to create 210 places for SPED students

July 14, 2025, Lincolnshire County Council: Green light for new special needs hubs

A proposal to improve the support available in mainstream schools for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) has been approved.

Under the plans, Lincolnshire County Council will create new SEND hubs in 5 local authority-maintained primary schools. The Department of Education has already approved proposals for similar hubs in 6 primary academies and 2 secondary academies. Around £7m will be invested to establish these new facilities and recruit additional specially trained teachers.

The project will create 210 additional spaces for pupils with SEND, helping to meet rising demand. 

Cllr Natalie Oliver, executive member for children’s services, said: “We know that, given the right support, many young people with SEND will do better in a mainstream school than they would in a special school. These new hubs will offer pupils the targeted, high-quality support they need, in smaller classes led by skilled staff. This will make a real difference to these young people, helping them reach their full potential.”

Work on the new hubs is due to start in the autumn, and all 13 are expected to be completed by autumn 2026.

The new SEND hubs will be located at the following schools:

Local authority-maintained primary schools 

Gonerby Hill Foot Church of England Primary School

Meadows Primary School, Lincoln

St George's Church of England Community Primary School, Gainsborough

Caistor Church of England and Methodist Primary School

Church Lane Primary School & Nursery, Sleaford

Primary academies

Grantham St Wulfrum’s Church of England Primary School

Gainsborough Parish Church of England Primary School

Coningsby St Michael’s Church of England Primary School

Friskney All Saints Church of England Academy

Gainsborough Castle Wood Primary Academy

Lincoln Ermine Primary Academy

Secondary academies 

The Gainsborough Academy

North Kesteven Academy