Tens of thousands of children with special educational needs and
disabilities will benefit from a £2.6 billion investment in new
school places that will ensure they have the best possible start
in life, the Chancellor is expected to announce next week.
At Wednesday’s Budget, is set to almost triple the
amount of this year’s capital funding for the most disadvantaged
young people through specialised educational support,
consequently levelling up outcomes and support for their
families.
Chancellor of the Exchequer, , said:
“I want every child to have
the best possible start in life and to fulfil their
potential.
“That’s why we’re
taking action to fund tens of thousands of new places for
students with special needs and disabilities - improving the
lives of so many of the nation’s most vulnerable
children."
To ensure no child is left behind, the investment will be used to
fund:
- More than 30,000 new high-quality school places for pupils
with special educational needs and disabilities to support their
learning in both mainstream and special educational needs
schools;
- Improvement in the suitability and accessibility of existing
buildings, recently recommended in the government’s recently
launched National Disability Strategy;
- New special and alternative provision free schools to help
drive up standards in special education.
The record announcement reflects the government’s commitment to
supporting an inclusive education system for children that allows
everyone to thrive.
With the school age population expected to be around 10% higher
in 2025 than it was in 2010, there is rising demand for
specialist support.
Not only does the increased funding allow local authorities to
invest more in creating high quality school places but it will
also make facilities and buildings more accessible.
Research suggests that being in overcrowded buildings negatively
impacts pupil attainment so this infrastructure investment will
ensure that pupils with special educational needs and
disabilities receive the same opportunities as any other student.
At last year’s Spending Review, the government announced £300m of
investment in 21-22 for new places for students with special
educational needs and disabilities– which was itself almost four
times as much provided in the previous year.
By creating more suitable places, this funding will also support
pupils to have access to a high-quality place close to home, no
matter where they live.
The Scottish Government, Northern Ireland Executive and Welsh
Government will all receive proportionate funding following the
Barnett formula which will be outlined fully at the Spending
Review.
