Jun 10, 2022, About Manchester: Greater Manchester targeted for new school places for disadvantaged and children with special needs https://aboutmanchester.co.uk/manchesteroldhamburysalfordtameside-and-rochdale-targeted-for-new-school-places-for-disadvantaged-and-children-with-special-needs/
NW England
Manchester,Oldham,Bury,Salford,Tameside and Rochdale are among 55 areas that have been selected as the Government this morning pledged that Thousands of new school places will be created for children in England, including for those who are living in disadvantaged areas, have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), or require alternative provision. ...
The first of the new wave of up to 60 special and alternative provision free schools will begin opening from September 2025, creating approximately 4,500 new places, and boosting choice for parents.
The new alternative provision (AP) schools will help keep those who have been excluded, or are at risk of exclusion, engaged with their education, as well as offering more behaviour and mental health support.
These school places build on commitments set out in the government’s recent education reforms, including the Schools and Levelling Up White Papers and the SEND and AP Green Paper, which aim to radically raise the national average attainment in English and maths, with investment and energy focused in areas of the country previously left behind, and to end the postcode lottery in the SEND system....
Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said:
All children have the right to a high-quality education. Parents should feel confident that their local school works for their child, no matter where they live or their ability.
From mainstream education which can provide for every need, to specialist teachers and equipment in tailored settings, our new schools across the country will continue to make sure that every child, in every corner of the country, gets the support they need to succeed.
Special schools will offer specialist support and education for pupils with needs such as autism, severe learning difficulties or social emotional and mental health conditions. The schools can be built to be more accessible, including with specialist fixtures like ceiling hoists and wheelchair ramps, or acoustically adapted classrooms...
The new special and AP free school waves come as Government consult on ambitious proposals for a more inclusive, consistent, transparent and accountable system for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and for those who require alternative provision.
Part of a £2.6 billion [$3.2B] investment of funding for more specialist places and support for children with SEND and who will benefit from AP over three years, the special and AP free school waves follow continued increased investment in local authority high needs funding, worth £9.1 billion overall for 2022-23.