Department for Education approves Herefordshire Council’s bid for new special school for children and young people with SEND
The Department for Education (DfE) has today announced that Herefordshire will get a new special school for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The DfE revealed the locations of 16 new special schools and the council is delighted that Herefordshire’s bid has been successful and the county is included in the list.
The announcement follows the government’s spring budget pledge to provide £105 million to build new special free schools across England.
The new Herefordshire special school will build up to catering for 80 children and young people, aged 2-16 years with complex autism and severe learning difficulties.
Councillor Ivan Powell, Herefordshire Council Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said:
“We’re delighted that our special free school bid has been approved by the Department for Education. This support will enable us to expand the number of specialist education places in Herefordshire and enable more pupils to attend a school within their local community and to thrive in an educational environment that meet their needs well. We know this will have a significant and positive impact on these pupils and their families.”
More information about the plans for the new school, including details on the proposed location and the timings of the project, will be announced in the future.