News · 12 December 2025
Government Announces £3bn Investment to Create 50,000 SEND School Places Through Cancelled Free Schools Programme
The government has committed £3 billion over three years to create approximately 50,000 new school places for children with special educational needs and disabilities by 2029/30. The funding, partially derived from cancelling 28 planned free schools, will enable local authorities to adapt existing buildings and create specialist spaces like breakout rooms for autism and ADHD support in mainstream schools, reducing lengthy transport needs for the 1.7 million SEND pupils currently supported nationwide.
Reported by ITV News · How we write briefs