Cabinet set to approve 30 places for children with special educational needs at Barnsley school

A report to cabinet from the executive director of children’s services recommends that the plans be given the go-ahead, so more youngsters with special educational needs can access the national curriculum in a mainstream setting from September 2021.

The report states that up to 30 places will be funded for children and young people, at 10 per academic year for the next three years.

It adds that the new places “will provide education places for children, identified with very complex needs and who will require access to the curriculum.”

The cost of the places is estimated at £102,000 in 2021/22, rising to £525,000 in a full year, based on £10,000 funding per place and top up payments of £7,500 per pupil.

The cost to adapt the space at Penistone Grammar School and provide ICT equipment is estimated to be £748,000, which will be funded from the Council’s SEND special provision allocation from the Department of Education.