Stoke-on-Trent Schools, Including Special Needs Facilities, Set for £5.9m Funding Approval

Councillors are expected to approve a £5.9 million fund designated for school projects in Stoke-on-Trent. This allocation includes 11 initiatives aimed at establishing new special schools and expanding existing ones. The majority of these projects, part of the city council’s schools capital programme for the 2024-25 period, prioritize increasing capacity for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). According to a spokesperson, this work aims to enable more of the city’s children to access necessary education nearer to their residences. Within this programme, £452,000 has been allocated for the demolition of the former Abbey Hill School, paving the way for the construction of the new Manor Abbey Free School. Additionally, plans are in place for two further free schools: one dedicated to pupils with autism spectrum disorder and another for alternative provision. The council intends to contribute £250,000 to these latter schemes, which are spearheaded by the Department for Education. The programme also incorporates initiatives to enhance SEND provision at several existing schools throughout the city, either through new construction or refurbishment projects. Councillor Sarah Jane Colclough, cabinet member for education, said she was pleased they were increasing the number of SEND school places in the city. Furthermore, the council is establishing a £1 million contingency fund designed to address any unforeseen surge in demand for school places in Stoke-on-Trent during the upcoming year. In prior years, the authority concentrated on expanding secondary school capacity to accommodate a demographic “bulge,” which is projected to reach its peak in September 2025. Cabinet members are scheduled to consider and potentially approve the schools capital programme during their meeting on Tuesday. The Local Democracy Reporting Service, which reports on councils and other public service organizations, compiled this news. For further updates, BBC Stoke & Staffordshire can be followed on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X, and Instagram. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC does not assume responsibility for the content of external sites. Details regarding our approach to external linking are available.