New SEND Places Open in Milton Keynes
Thirty local children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) have started the new school year in newly created specialist places. Milton Keynes City Council has invested in expanding support within four mainstream schools across the city.
These new facilities aim to provide dedicated support for children with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). The expansion is a response to the growing number of children requiring these services as Milton Keynes continues to develop.
Schools Benefit from Expansion Funding
Four Milton Keynes schools have been involved in this initiative: Wood End Infant and Pre-School, Portfields Primary School in Newport Pagnell, Chestnuts Primary School, and Oxley Park Academy. These schools now feature ‘specialist bases’ designed to offer focused educational environments.
These specialist bases are located within existing mainstream school buildings. They offer an alternative to attending a special school, allowing children to remain closer to home and potentially attend the same school as their siblings and friends from the local community.
Dedicated Facilities and Staffing
Each specialist base includes purpose-built teaching areas, breakout rooms for focused work, and intervention spaces. The developments also involved creating new entry points and some internal remodelling to ensure accessibility and functionality.
Specialist teachers and support staff have been appointed to meet the specific needs of children with EHCPs. This ensures that pupils receive tailored education and support directly within their local school setting.
Ongoing Commitment to SEND Support
The creation of these 30 places follows significant investment in SEND provision over the past year. Milton Keynes City Council has already established over 160 additional places through similar specialist bases and expansions at existing special schools.
Future developments are also planned to incorporate SEND facilities. New schools, such as the primary school in Whitehouse South and an all-through school in Elverby, are being designed with integrated SEND provision from the outset.
This story is based on reporting by www.milton-keynes.gov.uk. Read the original coverage: www.milton-keynes.gov.uk Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.