(UK) NI: 1,100 more SPED places in mainstream schools; 192 more in special schools

July 8, 2026, Education Authority accuses some schools of ‘stonewalling’ introduction of special needs provision in areas with highest demand – The Irish News

The Education Authority says schools in areas with the highest need for SEN provision have “effectively stonewalled” attempts to establish classes there, amid warnings that the current system is “running out of road”.

The stark assessment came as the EA confirmed it has so far secured more than 4,400 school places for children with SEN for September, with the number of outstanding placements expected to fall below 15 by next week.

This compares to a shortfall of around 50 children at the same point last year.

The latest figures relate to children starting school or moving between settings who received a statement of special educational needs on or before June 30.

Despite the progress, officials have warned that pressures are intensifying, with much of the special school estate at or close to capacity and specialist provision in mainstream schools remaining at a relatively low level.

The EA has said “substantial investment” in expanding special school capacity is now required.

The EA’s chief operations officer Dale Hanna said: “Meeting the needs of children and young people with SEN is an absolute priority for us and work will continue throughout the summer to confirm places.

“I pay tribute to colleagues in EA and in many schools who have worked really hard to secure additional places this year. . . .

From September, some 30% of mainstream schools will have specialist SEN provision classes — up four percentage points on last year. The EA said engagement with more than 400 mainstream schools resulted in 101 establishing new or pathway classes for September, 49 of which have never previously had any specialist provision. . . .

 “This is not a sustainable state of affairs. The level of overall mainstream school specialist provision has to expand significantly and at pace to meet growing demand.”

Work throughout the year will deliver 129 additional classes, creating more than 1,100 new places across mainstream and special schools, while construction projects have begun at 115 schools, including works to create 192 additional places at special schools despite the shortage of space across the estate. . . .

 “This is not an isolated issue - it is a system-wide crisis. . . .