(UK) W. Sussex council needs $41M to provide 100 SPED places

Jan 26, 2026, Sussex World: Parents and teachers in Worthing and Arun have their say on SEND system failings – and where it succeeds

https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/politics/parents-and-teachers-in-worthing-and-arun-have-their-say-on-send-system-failings-and-where-it-succeeds-5490394#

Parents in Worthing and Arun have had their say on the SEND system after the government launched the biggest national conversation on special educational needs and disabilities in a generation. . . .

"We learned a lot about the local SEND system – and sadly, its many failings. I am learning from parents who are very much in the thick of it, and from teachers who have been there. We have also visited a number of the educational establishments and the mainstream schools providing SEND support. . . .

"Unfortunately, we heard how our children are being failed by systems and lack of resources that don't meet the individual needs of our children.

"The need is increasing and they are finding that because mental health services for children and young people are massively over stretched, they are waiting five to six years for diagnosis and statements. . . .

Dr Cooper said there were some very positive conversations as well, where schools were able to provide 'a really good, healthy, thriving environment for these amazing children', and there were some amazing outcomes.

The Beckmead Trust has been offered £7,020,000 [$9.7M] by the government to build The Wealden Academy, a brand new SEND school in West Durrington.  . . .

One solution to the many problems would be to build the SEND school in West Durrington that has long been mooted.

The government offered West Sussex County Council more than £11million [$15M] in December to expand SEND capacity, including more than £7million [$10M] towards The Wealden Academy, The Beckmead Trust's new school in West Durrington, and £4.32 million [$6M] for its academy in Crawley.

But the council has since said the money falls far short of the funding required for new schools, citing £30million [$41M] as the level needed to provide around 100 places. . . .

"My take on it is there is a piece of land that has full planning approval for a SEND school. We will need a SEND school in this area. We need it now and will need it for many years to come. West Sussex County Council has capital funds held in reserve that it could use but has chosen not to.

"We have got a crisis now and in two to three years time, we are still going to have the same problem. I absolutely think they should take that additional funding, put the capital investment in from their funds, and they should build that school, and I stick by that.

"There is a serious lack of capacity and resources in mainstream schools. Space is a major issue. Durrington, Oak Grove and Angmering have been waiting for capital funding and it's a real issue. . . .