Why Herefordshire needs so many more special needs school places?

You are viewing content from Sunshine Radio Ludlow. Would you like to make this your preferred location?

Sunday, 13 August 2023 14:38

By Gavin McEwan - Local Democracy Reporter

Lasting effects of the pandemic are the main reason Herefordshire is having to increase its provision of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) places within the county’s mainstream primary schools.

Herefordshire Council says additional capacity “is urgently required” as the county’s two special schools, Westfield in Leominster and Blackmarston in Hereford, are full to new enrolments from next month.

In response it has announced of a new SEND base to be run by Hampton Dene Primary School in Hereford, and measures costing over £100,000 to make two other mainstream primaries suitable for special needs pupils.

According to a Herefordshire Council spokesperson, this is not unique to the county, but is in line with a rise in demand for special needs places nationally.

“We believe the increase is largely due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic,” the spokesperson said.

“We are working with schools and parents and carers to ensure our current provision is increased to accommodate the additional number of children needing special educational support in the county.”

The council earlier said it anticipated 150 extra specialist places will be needed in the county over the next four years.

The number of pupils in England with an education, health and care plan (EHCP) has more than doubled in the last eight years to now stand at over half a million, according to new data from the the County Councils Network.

It says local authorities, which have a statutory duty to make SEND provision where required, “are under extreme pressure to ensure every child gets the support they need”.