New SEND pupils complete first half term

More than 60 students with special educational needs (SEND) have completed their first half-term in newly created school places.

Swindon Borough Council revealed in March it had secured £22.43m to expand SEND provision.

The majority of the money has been earmarked for a new specialist school with around 100 places.

But 66 places have already been created by providing extra funding to three existing schools.

The extra SEND places were created at Millbrook Primary School's SEN unit and at Churchward School, which is a specialist secondary school for autism and linked communication difficulties.

Further places were also created at Crowdys Hill School, a special school which takes students from ages four to 19.

More capacity is due to be added elsewhere in January and September 2025, the council said, while the new school is expected to be ready by 2028.

The number of students in Swindon state-funded schools with an education, health and care plan (ECHP) rose from 1436 in 2019/2020 to 1829 in 2023/2024.

Over the same period, the number of students requiring SEND but without an ECHP increased slightly from 4,727 to 4,859, according to data from the Department for Education.

But the council said it expects demand for SEND support to rise in future.

Councillor Adorabelle Amaral-Shaikh, the council’s cabinet member for education, said: “It is vitally important that our children and young people have the specialist support that they need and, while Swindon is lucky to have several special schools, we are committed as a council to create additional places, helping even more young people.”

She added: “We know we will need additional places in the years to come, which is why we are continuing to develop plans for a new special school."

Karen Shawyer, headteacher at Millbrook School, said the funding had allowed the school to add an extra nine places and expand its SEND unit.

“It has provided much needed facilities, including a sensory room, a well-designed teaching space, new toilets and a large covered outdoor area, which have really improved learning and have allowed us to meet increased need," she said.

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