New special needs school confirmed by government

The government has confirmed it will fully fund and build a new school for autistic children following a council's request.

Bracknell Forest Council said in February it wanted the Department for Education to pay for Forest View School, planned for Buckler's Park in Crowthorne, Berkshire.

In December, the authority said it had been given the choice of the new school or a lump sum of £5.4m over three years to provide places for children with special educational needs elsewhere.

Grainne Siggins, the council's executive director for people, said the school will be "much-needed and much-wanted".

"It will complement the specialist SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) provision we have in several of our mainstream schools," she said.

"Our priority is to provide the best provision to ensure all local children and young people achieve the best possible outcomes and fulfil their potential."

The council's newly-elected leader Helen Purnell, Megan Wright, its cabinet member for children, and Bracknell MP Peter Swallow met education minister Josh MacAlister on Tuesday to tell him the school is urgently needed.