Five primary schools in Lincolnshire are slated to establish new hubs to support children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The centres will offer a tailored learning environment for students who have education, health and care plans (EHCPs), allowing them to remain integrated with the wider school community. Lincolnshire County Council has identified a substantial rise in demand for SEND places within the county, giving impetus to the hub project. Councillor Natalie Oliver, the council’s executive member for children’s services, characterised the hubs as vital to improving these children’s lives and easing the struggles their families face.
The intended locations for the SEND hubs are Gonerby Hill Foot Church of England Primary School in Grantham, The Meadows Primary School in Lincoln, St George’s Church of England Primary School in Gainsborough, Caistor Church of England and Methodist Primary School and Church Lane Primary School in Sleaford. The council has revealed that the cost of implementing the hubs is projected to be over £7 million. This funding will come from the Department for Education. Eileen McMorrow, programme manager for the council’s SEND and inclusion team, noted that despite creating 527 additional pupil places within the last four years, there is still an oversubscription for special schools.
The council meeting also laid bare that the percentage of students with SEND in Lincolnshire exceeds the national average. Martin Smith, assistant director of children’s education, shared that while the national average of children with an EHCP is 4.2%, Lincolnshire’s figure stands at 4.9%. Councillor Stephen Roe, a Conservative councillor, portrayed the initiative as a tremendous opportunity for their young citizens, enabling them to have access to necessary education locally and participate in mainstream education. He underscored that mainstream education had proved enriching for some children with SEND that he knew.
This story was adapted by The Lincoln Post from original reporting by www.bbc.com.
