Grantham schools named in £7m SEND support expansion

Two Grantham-area schools have been chosen to receive new special needs hubs as part of a major county-wide investment.

Gonerby Hill Foot CE Primary School and Grantham St Wulfram’s CE Primary School are among 13 schools across Lincolnshire selected to host new hubs for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

The project, led by Lincolnshire County Council and backed by the Department for Education, will see £7million invested in facilities and specially trained staff to meet growing demand for SEND provision.

The programme will create an additional 210 spaces for pupils with SEND.

Five of the hubs will be based in local authority-maintained primary schools, while six will be located in primary academies and two in secondary academies.

Coun Natalie Oliver (Reform UK), executive member for children’s services at the county council, said the hubs would offer smaller class sizes and high-quality, tailored support.

“We know that, given the right support, many young people with SEND will do better in a mainstream school than they would in a special school,” she said.

“These new hubs will offer pupils the targeted, high-quality support they need, in smaller classes led by skilled staff.

“This will make a real difference to these young people, helping them reach their full potential.”

Work on the hubs is due to begin in the autumn, with all 13 expected to be completed by autumn 2026.

Other schools included are:

- Meadows Primary School, Lincoln

- St George's Church of England Community Primary School, Gainsborough

- Caistor Church of England and Methodist Primary School

- Church Lane Primary School and Nursery, Sleaford

- Gainsborough Parish Church of England Primary School

- Coningsby St Michael’s Church of England Primary School

- Friskney All Saints Church of England Academy

- Gainsborough Castle Wood Primary Academy

- Lincoln Ermine Primary Academy

- The Gainsborough Academy

- North Kesteven Academy