BIG plans have been revealed for a number of schools in Herefordshire.

An additional £4.23 million will be invested in Herefordshire Schools and facilities to provide better access to learning for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

The funding will be released from a Department for Education (DfE) High Needs Provision Capital Grant to create additional special and mainstream school places for children with SEND and improve Alternative Provision (AP) to meet growing demand across Herefordshire.

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The budget of £4.23 million will be used to fund a number of proposed projects, including the refurbishment of the Ryefield Centre, Ross-on Wye, to create a small special school for children with SEND and expand the council’s inclusion offer at Aylestone School, Leominster and Trinity primary schools to help children who need additional support.

It also includes future plans to relocate the Herefordshire Pupil Referral Unit at the St David’s Centre and the Aconbury Centre to a single site.

This programme of works is on top of a £2.67 million investment into the expansion of the language and communication centre at Hampton Dene Primary School and improvements at Barrs Court School. Both projects are already underway and will create additional specialist places.

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Councillor Harry Bramer, cabinet member for community services and assets, said: “By releasing the DfE funding we can work towards providing additional provision to meet the increased demand for special school places in Herefordshire and provide SEND children with better access to education.”

Councillor Ivan Powell, cabinet member for children and young people, added: “We believe that every child in Herefordshire deserves to receive the best education possible and the grant funding will help us to expand our offer to meet the needs of our children with SEND.”

Debbie Hobbs, chair of Parent and Carer Voice Herefordshire, said: “As a group that represents SEND families in Herefordshire we welcome this positive news and looking forward to working with the council as the plans progress to implement the extra provision for children and young people.”

The full decision report can be viewed on the council’s website.