Council will turn down £5.7m to get SEND school built in Malvern
Committee chair Natalie McVey said south Worcestershire was “a bit of a desert” in terms of SEND provision
Education chiefs will turn down £5.7 million so plans for a new SEND school in Malvern can go ahead.
The Department for Education, which is funding the specialist autism free school, is axing several free school projects across the country.
It has offered Worcestershire County Council the cash alternative to spend on increasing the number of SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) places in mainstream schools.
But cabinet member for education Stephen Foster said the council wants to build the school.
At a meeting of the children and families overview and scrutiny panel on Monday (January 19), councillors were told the planned opening date for the new school was likely to be pushed back from September 2027 by a year or even two.
Adam Johnston, strategic director of children’s services for the council, said he met with the Department for Education (DfE) just before Christmas.
“Many free schools have been cancelled across the country and regionally as well,” he said.
“The situation with regards to the Malvern special school is we are in a position where we are good to go now. And we are also mindful of the fact this has already been delayed.
“We met with the director of the DfE to ask more specific questions. Essentially we have a choice – continue with the build or cancel the build and take £5.7m.
“My opinion is, it would make most sense to continue with the school build but this is subject to cabinet discussion.”
Mr Johnston said he was given “no definitive answer from the DfE on timescales but the school may not be built until September 2029.
Cllr Foster said: “It is highly unlikely, even with the delays, that we would want to take the £5.7m.
“The rationale is that would help increase SEND provision in mainstream schools, but we are already doing that.
“It is specialist SEND provision we need – and that’s what this 120-place school in Malvern will give us. It has already been approved.
“We are all but certain to continue down that route.”
Committee chair Natalie McVey said south Worcestershire was “a bit of a desert” in terms of SEND provision.
Cllr Seb James said people were “anxious” about whether it would go ahead or not and asked Cllr Foster to confirm that at the next cabinet meeting in February, he would be recommending the continuation of the school project.
“I just want a yes or no answer,” said Cllr James. Cllr Foster replied simply “yes”.
We have asked the Department for Education for comment.