(UK) Sussex: Demand for SPED places "continues to rise"; school base proposed

Sept 16, 2026, Sussex Express: Parents invited to have their say on new Petworth SEND base

Families of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are being asked to share their views on proposals to create a new Specialist Inclusion Base (SIB) at Petworth Primary School, a move the school says would allow more children to learn locally, safely and alongside their peers.

West Sussex County Council says demand for SEND places continues to rise, and the authority is working to expand specialist capacity across the county.

The proposed base at Petworth would support up to 12 children aged 4 to 11 with social communication differences, including autistic pupils, offering a blend of specialist teaching and access to mainstream learning. . . .

If approved, the Petworth base would be created using existing space at the school, adapted to include a classroom, a sensory or calm room, quieter outdoor areas and accessible toilets. . . .