Forty further SEND school places to be created

Forty further SEND school places to be created

Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet is gearing up to give the green light to plans for the construction of temporary modular classrooms aimed at expanding school places for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The proposal is to provide an additional 40 places at the Naylorsfield Drive location of Millstead Primary School in Netherley, starting this September and lasting for two years. Following this period, students will be relocated to the new Princes Primary School come September 2027. The project will involve the installation of four classrooms housed within two separate units.

The surge in demand for SEND places in Liverpool reflects a larger trend seen across the country, prompting the city to intensify efforts via its SEND sufficiency program to boost capacity in maintained schools. From 2020 to 2024, the number of children and young adults (up to age 25) in Liverpool with an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) has quadrupled, with 57% currently attending special schools. By expanding places in maintained schools, the council hopes to reduce the necessity of funding placements in the private sector, a move that could save up to £2.4 million annually for 40 pupils.

In order to meet the deadline for the upcoming school year, the report advises awarding the project contract to existing contractors already operational at the Naylorsfield Drive site. The development at Millstead forms part of a broader strategic plan to augment SEND places in Liverpool and enhance school infrastructure. The conversion of the former Hope School buildings at the site has already contributed 80 additional places to the city, with future initiatives encompassing the construction and relocation of Princes Primary School to unify all school functions on a single site.

Overall, the move towards enhancing educational facilities for SEND pupils in Liverpool underscores the council’s commitment to addressing the escalating demand for specialized placements within the city’s school system. By forging ahead with initiatives like the construction of modular classrooms and revamping existing sites, authorities are striving to ensure that every student has access to quality education tailored to their individual needs

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