Somerset to create more than 100 new special needs school places
Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 06:08 · Archive
Somerset Council will create more than 100 new special educational needs places across schools using over £9m of government funding.
Somerset Council will create more than 100 new special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) places in schools using £9.3m of central government funding from the Department for Education. The council has faced mounting pressure in recent years as the number of children and young people requiring SEND support has grown, leading to lengthy delays in care plan assessments.
The funding will be spent on creating SEND units within mainstream schools or expanding provision at specialist facilities. Of the £9.3m provided, £3.84m will be spent on delivering new SEND units or expanding provision at schools including Herne View Church of England Primary School in Ilminster.
Somerset Council approved a three-year programme in October 2025 to deliver new SEND places, aiming to provide 264 new SEND units and 88 new specialist places by late-2028. The expanded programme, which follows successful delivery of six SEND units, will increase the number of mainstream SEND places to 344 by late-2029, making it easier for children and young people with special needs to study locally rather than further afield.
How it is being reported
- New special needs places to be created in Somerset schoolsMore than 100 new places will be created across Somerset, making it easier for children and young people with special needs to study more locallySomerset County Gazette · 16 Oct, 05:00
- New special needs places to be created in Somerset schoolsMore than 100 new places will be created across Somerset, making it easier for children and young people with special needs to study more locallyBridgwater Mercury · 16 Oct, 05:00
In this story: Somerset Council · Department for Education · Somerset · Herne View Church of England Primary School · Ilminster
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