We’re investing in additional SEND school places
We’re making exciting progress on two of our capital programmes to improve education for every child. We are investing in Alternative Provision (AP) and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) so we can help children who may need extra support.
Our AP capital programme aims to update and combine 9 school sites into 5 modern, high-quality ones. This will give more children the space and support they need, growing from 199 to 240 places across the county.
By 2030, through our SEND capital programme, we’ll create around 2,400 new places in specialist schools and improve existing spaces for over 600 children. This means better learning environments for those who need them most.
These changes will help make sure every child has the chance to learn, grow, and succeed.
Current ongoing projects include:
- Woodlands SEN Unit at Cranmere Primary School
- St John the Baptist School SEN unit
- Pond Meadow School expansion
- Hythe Park Primary School expansion
- Hopescourt SEND School
Recently completed project:
- Ashford Park Primary School
Ashford Park Primary School
We are delighted that we have completed this project, almost a month earlier than expected. We have built a new standalone SEN block which will provide the school with space for 25 pupils including classrooms with direct access to external play areas, group and therapy rooms. Pupils will be welcomed into the new unit after the October half term.
Image of a classroom in Ashford Park Primary School (above)
Woodlands SEN Unit at Cranmere Primary School
In August 2025, we started work to reconfigure the building and create a new outdoor play area which will provide 28 more places for children with additional needs and disabilities.
Pond Meadow school expansion
Building works started in July 2025 to deliver a brand new Special Educational Needs (SEN) teaching block at the back of the existing school. The new SEN block will provide 51 places for post-16 students and is anticipated to be completed in August 2026.
Rendering of new teaching block at Pond Meadow School (above)
Hopescourt SEND school
The specialist free school for up to 200 pupils with additional needs and disabilities is really starting to take shape. The project is due to be completed by March 2026.
Image of the interior of Hopescourt SEND School (above)
Hythe Park Primary School Project
We started work in May 2025 to remodel and refurbish the school to add 16 new SEN provision places and improve 25 existing places.
An image of the foundations of Hythe Park Primary School (above)
These additional places, and the projects that are delivering them, are a crucial part of ßÙßÇÂþ»'s Inclusion and Additional Needs Strategy. The strategy aims to improve inclusion and outcomes for children with additional needs and disabilities in ßÙßÇÂþ», ensuring they can access the best possible education closer to home.
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- SEND and Alternative Provision Capital Programmes summer 2025 update
- SEND and AP Capital Programmes to deliver 3,000 new school places
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