Spalding father praises Lincolnshire County Council’s plans to build new 154-place special school

A father has praised the county council’s plans to build a new special school — and says improvements are much-needed and long overdue.

Lincolnshire County Council is on the hunt for locations for a new 154-place free school for children with social, emotional and mental health needs (SEN) after plans were approved by the Department for Education (DfE) earlier this month.

The project, which is currently in its early stages, is something that Coun Patricia Bradwell, executive member for children’s services, said has been a “long-term aspiration for the council”.

Rob Cook, a business owner and father of two from Spalding, said: “Any extra support for SEN is brilliant because one of my girls is autistic and the other has started her assessment for ADHD, so I know how difficult it can be to get support in mainstream schools.”

Over the last few years, the council has said it has invested some £100m in improving and expanding special schools across the county.

However, Rob said this is not something he has seen in his area.

“Unfortunately, it’s a postcode lottery in Lincolnshire,” he said.

“We’ve found that because of the size and the geography of it, the resources and help that you get is very very minimal.”

In and around Spalding, the main facilities for SEN children are Gosberton House Academy and Tulip Academy (formerly the Garth and Priory) with other support teams available in mainstream schools.

With the council still looking for where they could put the new facility, Rob hopes it will be somewhere near him so he has the option to give his girls the best support they can get.

“If there were another opportunity in this area of course that would be great for me, but others would obviously want it in their area.

“At my girls’ school, there is one SENCO for a school of 400 kids, and if 10% of them are SEN kids one SENCO is not enough.”

The father is hopeful that when the school is built, it will be one where children start in reception and continue all the way until they finish education as often children with special needs can struggle with routine changes.

He also says that in SEN-specific schools, the classes can be smaller and have specialist teachers which “gives a lot of support to the kids”.

The council will be working with the DfE and partner organisations to find a preferred operator for the new free school in the months ahead, after which the DfE will select a multi-academy trust to run it.

Coun Bradwell said: “This new school has been a long-term aspiration for the council, and we’re very grateful to the DfE for making it possible.”

“Over the last few years, the council has invested around £100m in improving and expanding special schools across the county, meaning more pupils with special educational needs and disabilities can now attend a local school instead of having to travel large distances for their education.”

“This new project will continue that good work, ensuring that all pupils can get a good start in life, with any additional support they might require. I’m sure the school will bring lasting benefits for children and their families, and I look forward to seeing the work move forward.”

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