Newly Placed SEND Students Conclude First Half-Term

Over 60 students requiring special educational needs (SEND) support have concluded their initial half-term in school placements recently established. Swindon Borough Council announced in March that it had secured £22.43 million for the expansion of SEND provision. Most of these funds have been designated for a new specialist school, which is planned to offer approximately 100 places. However, 66 places have already been established through additional funding provided to three existing educational institutions. These additional SEND placements were established at Millbrook Primary School’s SEN unit and at Churchward School, a specialist secondary institution catering to autism and related communication challenges. Additional capacity was also developed at Crowdys Hill School, a special school serving students aged four to 19. The council indicated that further capacity is scheduled for implementation in other locations in January and September 2025, with the new school projected to be operational by 2028. The count of students in Swindon’s state-funded schools holding an education, health, and care plan (EHCP) increased from 1,436 in the 2019/2020 academic year to 1,829 in 2023/2024. Concurrently, the population of students needing SEND support but lacking an EHCP saw a modest rise from 4,727 to 4,859, based on figures from the Department for Education. Nevertheless, the council stated its anticipation of an increase in future demand for SEND assistance. Councillor Adorabelle Amaral-Shaikh, who serves as the council’s cabinet member for education, commented: “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 further stated: “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, the headteacher at Millbrook School, reported that the allocated funding enabled the school to introduce an additional nine places and enlarge its SEND unit. She elaborated: “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.”