Plans to expand special school amid growing demand

A special school could expand to meet growing demand, a council has announced.

Springwater School in Starbeck, Harrogate, currently caters to 112 children with special educational needs.

A proposed expansion would create 45 additional places and would see two buildings redeveloped into classrooms, a sensory room and other facilities.

North Yorkshire Council said plans would be discussed at a meeting next month.

Springwater School caters to pupils aged two to 19 who have special educational needs such as autism, profound and multiple learning difficulties and speech, language and communication needs.

The council said the proposed expansion would not only provide more places but also improve the facilities available to all children who attend the school now and in the future.

According to council figures, the number of children in North Yorkshire with education health and care plans had increased by 95 per since 2018.

While the majority of children have their needs met in their local mainstream school, the council recognised demand for specialist settings was increasing.

Since 2018, the council said it had increased special school places from 820 to 1,450, despite "significant funding challenges".

Councillor Annabel Wilkinson, executive member for education, learning and skills, said: “The proposal to expand Springwater School is one of a number of significant investments we have planned to further improve the facilities and school places available.

“Providing more places within the county will mean more children will access the education they need within their own community, alongside their peers, close to their family and friends and reduce the need for placements outside the area.”

The expansion will be considered at a meeting on 3 September.

The proposals will be subject to a five-week consultation, which is scheduled to begin on 6 September.

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