(UK) N. Yorkshire: Council creates $4.5M autism school; 110% increase in SPED since 2016

Aug 22, 2023, Harrogate, Stray Ferret: Councillors agree to create new school for autistic children in Harrogate https://thestrayferret.co.uk/councillors-agree-to-create-new-school-for-autistic-children-in-harrogate/

N. England

The former Woodfield Community Primary School in Bilton will become a new special school for children with autism, councillors confirmed today.

North Yorkshire Council’s Conservative-run executive unanimously approved the creation of the school, which will cater for up to 80 students and is set to open in September next year. The results of a six-week consultation over summer revealed considerable support, with 86% of 105 responses in favour.

The council has pledged a £3.5m [$4.5M] investment into creating the school.

The meeting was held this morning at the Civic Centre in Harrogate — the first time a North Yorkshire Council executive meeting has taken place outside of Northallerton.

Michael Harrison, the Conservative councillor for Killinghall, Hampsthwaite and Saltergate, said the council was doing a “wonderful thing” by opening the school, which he said would help meet demand for special educational needs places locally.

Cllr Harrison said: “Our commitment to education in the area and at that site specifically, and for children with autism, is evidenced in that we are proposing to reopen a school on that site so soon after Woodfield closed.”

Since 2016, the number of children in North Yorkshire with identified special educational needs and disability and a legally-binding education, health and care plan has increased by more than 110%, leading to a shortage of special school places and numerous children being taught by independent providers.

Independent day sector placements typically cost the public purse up to £70,000 [$90K] annually and the average cost of a special school placement is about £23,000 [$30K]….