Government to add 50,000 SEND places in mainstream schools with £3bn funding amid mixed reactions
The UK government has announced plans to create 50,000 additional special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) places in mainstream schools across England, committing £3 billion over three years to fund the initiative. This funding will be devolved to local councils to enable adaptations of existing school buildings and the creation of specialist spaces, such as breakout areas and rooms tailored for autism and ADHD, to reduce pupil travel times.
To support this plan, 28 planned mainstream free schools are being cancelled following public consultation, with 16 more sites under review. Meanwhile, 77 proposed special free schools could either be built or replaced by equivalent specialist places elsewhere. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson stated that this investment backs SEND reforms detailed in a White Paper expected early next year, though the publication of the White Paper has been delayed.
Local authorities have emphasized that funding must be allocated to the areas most in need, expressing concerns about the locations of large schools. SEND transport spending reached £1.5 billion during 2023-24, a significant rise from previous years since 2015-16.
The announcement has drawn varied responses from political parties. The Conservatives described the cancellation of some free schools as "education vandalism," while Labour criticised the removal of schools. The Liberal Democrats welcomed the funding but called for stronger reforms concerning diagnosis and support of SEND students. The Local Government Association highlighted the importance of targeting funding towards the most relevant locations.
The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) remarked that investment in school buildings alone is insufficient. They stressed the need for enough trained teachers and leadership with specialist training to effectively support SEND pupils.
The National Audit Office (NAO) reported that outcomes for SEND students have not improved despite increased investment. SEND appeals reached 25,000 in 2024-25, an 18% increase year on year, with a majority relating to Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP) contents.
An example illustrating the demand for SEND provision is Ninestiles Academy in Birmingham, where approximately 50 EHCP pupils spend about 70% of their time in mainstream settings while receiving bespoke lessons, highlighting the complexity of EHCP processes.
