The Government has announced that it will fund the construction of a new Special Free School in South Gloucestershire, for children with severe learning difficulties. Local man and Member of Parliament for Thornbury and Yate Luke Hall today welcomed this news and spoke of his delight at the continued investment in local schools and education.
“I am thrilled that South Gloucestershire is to have a new Special Free School supported and funded by the Government. Having worked closely with local Councillors, we are continuing to secure the local education our children need and deserve.”
South Gloucestershire Council will now run a four-month process to invite organisations interested in running the new school to submit their plans, showing how they would meet the needs of children and young people with Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD) and Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD).
Bidders will be invited to submit proposals to meet the criteria set out by the Department for Education. Those plans will then be jointly assessed by South Gloucestershire Council and the Department for Education, with a preferred option passed to the Secretary of State for Education for approval.
Together with local groups and Councillors, Luke has been making the case that further provision and expertise in providing specialist education services is needed in South Gloucestershire.
Significant numbers of children with learning disabilities are currently having to travel long distances to their schools and services, some of which are located outside the immediate area. Luke echoed the words of local Councillors, stating that the new school “would be a huge boost for many local families”.
Councillor Toby Savage, Cabinet Member for Schools, Skills and Employment/Councillor Jon Hunt, Cabinet Member for Children & Young People, said: “We want to ensure that every young person gets the best possible education and can achieve their potential, regardless of their health, background or additional needs. I am therefore delighted that South Gloucestershire will be home to a yet another new Special Free School, which will provide new opportunities to children and young people with particular needs right here, close to home.”
More information about Special Free Schools can be found online at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/special-free-schools-commissioned-by-a-local-authority.