220 new SEND places proposed across Lancashire

The move is aimed at catering for increased demand for more school places in Lancashire for children with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) across special and mainstream schools.

It means 220 new school places could be created at a range of new and existing special establishments, and follows the council's SEND Capital Strategy, which was given the green light last February.

Among the proposals are plans for new standalone special schools including:

•         New special school, Oswaldtwistle  - 70 places

If given the green light, a new special school for 70 children and young people aged from nine to 18 years old with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs could open on the site of the former Broadfield Special School at  Fielding Lane in Oswaldtwistle. It would support children and young people particularly from Hyndburn, Rossendale and the surrounding areas, and open in September 2028.

•     New specialist post 19 unit at Sir Tom Finney High School, Preston – 40 places

Also in the pipeline could be new accommodation to provide specialist provision for young people aged 19 – 25 with an Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP) based at Sir Tom Finney High School, Preston.

Opening from September 2027, the new facility would support around 40 young people, particularly from Preston and its surrounding areas, with tailored curriculums to support Preparation for Adulthood pathways.

Under the proposals, three existing special schools would see additional places, too. These include:

•        Mayfield School, Chorley – 40 places

If given the go-ahead, the plans could see 40 new SEND places at Mayfield School in Chorley from September 2027, as well as improved facilities on site.

The community special school currently supports 130 pupils with autism, multi-sensory impairment, physical disability, severe learning difficulties and profound and multiple learning difficulties, and would see the number on roll rise to 170.

•          Pear  Tree School, Kirkham – 30 places

As part of the plans, Pear Tree School could see an extra 30 places from September 2027. It is a community special school in Kirkham, within the Fylde district, which at present caters for 110 children aged from two to 19 years old.

It provides support for pupils with speech, language and communication, autism, multi-sensory impairment, physical disability, severe learning difficulties and profound and multiple learning difficulties.

•          White Ash School, Oswaldtwistle – 40 places

Also on the cards  are an additional 40 places at this community special school in Hyndburn from September 2027. It currently serves 115 children from aged two to 11 years old. Like Mayfield and Pear Tree School, it provides support for pupils with autism, multi-sensory impairment, physical disability, severe learning difficulties and profound and multiple learning difficulties.

Lancashire County Council has a duty to keep its special education provision under review and ensure there is the right type of provision and enough places to meet the needs of children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

The expansion is part of the council's SEND Capital Strategy which was given the green light in February this year, and was shaped by feedback from parents, carers and practitioners thanks to an extensive series of meetings, open events and surveys last summer.

People will also get a further chance to have their say on proposed building altenations through the planning process in September.

CC Matthew Salter, cabinet member for Education and Skills, said:

"We know there is significant need for more school places in Lancashire for children with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), both in special schools and SEND Units in mainstream schools.

"This is why we are proposing a raft of new places, to ensure children who need a specialist setting can access it as close to home as possible, and to help them achieve and to thrive."

*People are being asked to say what they think of the proposals from 11 May until 11.59pm on Friday 26 June. You can do this at the link here: Have your say on new SEND school places in Lancashire - Lancashire County Council