(UK) Sandwell: $2M to add 25 new SPED places in two schools

Mar 5, 2026,  £1.5m to be spent on more special educational needs places at two Black Country schools | Express & Star

As much as £1.5m [$2M] will be spent creating 25 new SEND places at two schools in Sandwell.

Sandwell Council said it plans use the government money to improve facilities for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) at Ocker Hill Academy in Tipton and Wood Green Academy in Wednesbury.

The council was given £1.6m [$2.1M] by the Department for Education (DfE) as part of government plans to expand and improve SEND provision.

Both schools have also been included in the DfE’s school rebuilding programme and both sites are expected to be “comprehensively redeveloped.”

Sandwell Council’s cabinet meets on March 11 to discuss the SEND proposals.

A total of £400,000 [$536K] will be spent on Ocker Hill Academy in Gospel Oak Road to provide five extra spaces for children and £1.11m [$1.5M] will be spent at Wood Green Academy to create a further 20 spaces.