Council announces plan for new SEND school

Leicestershire County Council has announced plans to create a new school for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

The Reform UK-led authority said it had identified land it owns in Kilworth Road, Husbands Bosworth, to construct an SEND school which could cater for more than 250 children.

According to the council, the proposed project require an investment of about £30m from the authority to deliver "much-needed" school places.

The council said it would engage with residents in the area on the proposals before any planning application is submitted to Harborough District Council.

Leicestershire County Council previously axed controversial plans to close four specialist nurseries for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

The authority said it consulted parents, carers and professionals on proposals to shut four specialist nurseries and shift funding to provide places in mainstream provision, before it withdrew the proposals in February.

The county council said it had identified a "significant shortfall" in SEND provision across the county, and no provision in south Leicestershire.

It added this resulted in the need to either transport young people "considerable distances" to a suitable setting or access independent SEND providers or out of county provisions.

Charles Pugsley, cabinet member for children and families, said: "We're in great need of specialist school places for Leicestershire children and many will know the strain we're currently under.

"This is why we want to build a new, purpose-built school in the south of the county, where we've identified the most need.

"We're just at the start of this process but our ambitions are clear on providing these places."

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