NEARLY 200 new specialist school places are set to be created across Tameside.
It’s part of a £7.13 million investment aimed at improving provision for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
Tameside Council has confirmed that three special schools, five primary schools and one secondary school in the borough are set to benefit from the funding, which will create an additional 194 specialist places.
The move comes as demand for SEND support continues to grow and is intended to help more children access the education and support they need closer to home.
Among the schools receiving funding is Cromwell High School, where capacity will be increased for pupils with profound and multiple learning difficulties, severe learning difficulties and complex autism.
Thomas Ashton School will develop dedicated nurture and support spaces for pupils with social, emotional and mental health difficulties, while Hawthorns School will create additional specialist provision for children with speech, language and communication needs.
The programme will also see specialist provision created or expanded within mainstream primary and secondary schools.
The local authority says increasing the number of places available locally could reduce the need for children to attend schools outside Tameside, allowing more families to access support within their own communities.
The latest funding follows more than £8.5 million invested over the past two years to expand and improve SEND provision across both mainstream and specialist settings.
Most of the projects are expected to be completed this year, although one school development is currently scheduled for completion by September 2027.
Councillor Leanne Feeley, Tameside Council’s Executive Member for Lifelong Learning and Culture, said: “Our ambition is for every child and young person with SEND in Tameside to have access to high-quality education and support within their local community wherever possible.
“This investment demonstrates our commitment to developing a sustainable and inclusive system that meets the needs of children and families both now and in the future.
“By increasing specialist provision, enhancing learning environments and building local capacity, we are creating more opportunities for children and young people with SEND to achieve, belong and thrive.”