(UK) W. Sussex Co: 'We face huge challenges managing ever-growing [SPED] demands'

May 4, 2025, Yahoo News: School could expand under new plans to meet rising demand

S. England

People are being asked to share their views on plans to increase places at a special educational needs school.

West Sussex County Council wants to expand Oak Grove College, Worthing, which is a school for children and young people aged 11 to 19 with additional needs.

The council's proposal involves using The Pines, a former adult education centre owned by the council, to increase the school's capacity by up to 60 places.  . . .

The council said the county has seen a significant rise in demand for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision in recent years.

The number of education and health care plans (EHCPs) being processed has been increasing year on year.

While most children and young people with EHCPs can be supported in a mainstream school setting, some require the additional support of a special school.

The council's proposals to expand Oak Grove College aim to help ease the pressure on special school places locally.

Residents now have the opportunity to share their views on the proposals via an online consultation, which will run until May 25, 2025. . . .

"The creation of additional places at Oak Grove College will help more children and young people be able to attend school locally, reducing the need for us to use independent and non-maintained special schools, which can be costly. . . .

"We face huge challenges in managing the ever-growing demands on our SEND services, but these proposals demonstrate the proactive steps we are taking in finding solutions to these challenges to help ensure that all children and young people can achieve their full potential."