THERE will be more school places available for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Tameside from the next academic year.
The council has agreed to spend £1.5 million to create provision for 133 children, aged between five and 16 years old.
The additional SEND places will be in one maintained school – which is St Mary’s RC Primary School in Denton – as well as support for nine specialist learning bases in academy schools.
Subject to government approval, these will be Greenfield Academy, Endeavour Primary Academy and Oakfield Primary School in Hyde; Manor Green Primary Academy in Denton; Silver Springs Primary Academy and Copley Academy in Stalybridge; All Saints Catholic College and St Mary’s in Dukinfield; and St George’s CE Primary School in Mossley.
The council says the changes will take place over two phases, with the first beginning in September 2025 and the second – which will bring additional places to those approved in phase one – following in September 2026.
The Executive Cabinet has approved the plan, after carrying out a public consultation, as the authority aims to ensure all children in the borough have a school place close to home which meets their individual learning needs and, where possible, in mainstream settings.
Councillor Leanne Feeley, Executive Member for Lifelong Learning and Culture, described it as “really positive news” which will “help meet the needs of young people in education”.
She added: “The investment into SEND education will also contribute to healthy and active lives while ensuring financially sustainable public services as a foundation for long-term sustainability.
“The proposals offer the opportunity of better outcomes for children who are able to have a school place able to meet their individual learning needs closer to home.”