Aug 17, 2020, THISS: Over 3,000 extra school places to give children with SEND access to specialist equipment https://thiis.co.uk/over-3000-extra-school-places-to-give-children-with-send-access-to-specialist-equipment/
The Department for Education (DfE) has announced that up to 3,000 new school places are to be created for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), providing tailored support and specialist equipment. Staffed by specially trained teachers, the 35 new special free schools are expected to be available from September 2022 onwards; they will give pupils with complex needs access to equipment that supports their individual needs, such as sensory equipment and communication aids. Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has approved 33 school trusts to open and run 37 new schools. Two of these will be solely for children who have been, or are, at risk of being excluded from mainstream education, to level up their educational outcomes and to keep them engaged in learning. The remaining 35 will help drive up standards in special education, providing support and teaching for pupils with complex needs such as autism, severe learning difficulties or mental health conditions. This Government announcement builds on the success of the free school programme, which promotes innovation, with more than 500 already open across the country, including 44 special and 47 Alternative Provision (AP) free schools…. Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “Now more than ever we need to make sure we are putting our most disadvantaged and vulnerable children first, including those with complex needs…. Free schools are new schools set up by parents, teachers, charities, academy trusts and existing schools in response to demand from the local community….
