(UK) Yorks: $3.9M for more SPED places; 1,700 to 6,000 increase in SPED plans in 10 yrs
- The end of childhood
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Nov 17, 2025, Hello Rayo: £3m [$3.9M] to boost special needs education in North Yorkshire
N. England
The Council is increasing the number of specialist school places across the county
£3 million [$3.9M] is being spent creating extra school places for children with special educational needs in North Yorkshire.
North Yorkshire Council says the money will go towards increasing the number of specialist school places across the county.
The start of the academic year has seen the opening of post-16 specialist provision in Skipton. The town’s former Ings Primary School, which closed in 2017, has been given a new lease of life after undergoing a £1 million [$1.3M] renovation programme.
The pressures on SEND services have seen the number of children with Educational Health Care Plans (EHCPs) in North Yorkshire rise sharply from 1,700 in 2015 to more than 6,000 in 2025.
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for education, learning and skills, Cllr Annabel Wilkinson, said: “We recognise the demand for special school places and the pressures facing families.
“The investment in creating dedicated spaces for children with specialist needs reflects our determination to ensure that every child – regardless of background and need – can thrive in a supportive and well-resourced learning environment within their local communities.”
The Post-16 Brooklands School in Broughton Road offers places for students aged 16 to 19 in refurbished classrooms and work-related learning areas. . . .
Meanwhile, Springwater School in Harrogate is helping to meet the growing demand for specialist education after being expanded to accommodate dozens of extra pupils.
The community special school in Starbeck has increase its pupil numbers from 112 to 157 after the redevelopment of two neighbouring buildings to create dedicated classrooms, new changing facilities, outdoor space including an area for sixth-form pupils and a kitchen. . .
The opening of Post-16 Brooklands School and the expansion of Springwater School follow the announcement that The Lighthouse School has been appointed to run a new specialist secondary school in Harrogate for children with autism following a £2.4 million [$3.1M] investment by the authority. In addition, construction has started to build a specialist school in Osgodby, near Selby.
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