Increase In School Places For Children With Special Needs Announced

As a result of additional funding for pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), the number of school places in Hull will increase.

The following areas will receive increased attention:

£450k to add more places to Rise Academy and expand the age range from 11-16 to 9-16, with approval from the Regional Schools Commissioner. A special focus on learning and communication skills referred to as ‘Rising Stars’, is included.

There will be £600,000 invested to expand the school’s age range to 3-19 and increase the number of places to 200. While supporting primary SEND provision at the Wanbeck Academy with £100,000 in funding. St Mary’s College will get £350,000 to improve access to places for secondary SEND learners.

School Place Planning Board and the Multi-Academy Trusts have developed the proposals alongside the Hull Learning Partnership and Hull Learning Partnership.

Pauline Turner, Director for children’s services said:

“We are committed to developing high-quality services and provisions that make a real impact on the lives and lived experiences of the children, young people and families of Hull.”

“We want all children and young people with SEND to be healthy and happy, do well in education, make friends, develop independence and have the confidence to achieve their aspirations.”

Together with partners, the Council continues to improve SEND services across the city.

In support of the city’s increasing need for specialist places, a number of projects have already been approved

SEND sufficiency means there are enough places available for pupils with SEND to be educated in the most appropriate settings. There has been an establishment of Resource Bases to ensure that, where appropriate, SEND pupils can receive support alongside mainstream provision.

Furthermore, significant numbers of additional places have been created across Alternative Provision and specialist settings.