New SEND provision to be created at primary school

An underutilised space at a primary school in a city will be converted into a special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) unit.

On Tuesday, Peterborough City Council cabinet members authorised the refurbishment of Southfields Primary School in Stanground, to create SEND provision for 38 children, aged five to 11 with autism spectrum disorder and associated learning difficulties.

The facility was expected to open from September 2027, the authority said.

Peterborough City Council said this provision was part of the government's White Paper reforms, which focused on the needs of SEND pupils.

The council said there was a growing demand for SEND places for pupils with education, health and care plans in the city and a need to minimise reliance on costly independent provision and long travel for pupils.

Sixty-six primary aged children were waiting for specialist SEND placements and none were expected to become available in the city until September 2027, the local authority said.

It further added that demand for specialist provision within primary aged children was forecasted to reach 750 by 2029-30, against a current in city capacity of 491 places, leaving a gap of 259 placements.

The council-funded refurbishments at the Stanground school would include extending the heating, cooling and water systems from the existing plantrooms to serve the new areas, alongside extensive electrical remodelling.

The local authority said enhanced training, supervision and ongoing support would also be provided to ensure that staff were equipped with the skills and expertise to deliver aspirational outcomes for children with SEND at the new unit.

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