Dorset MP questions Education Minister over new special school for Portland
Richard Drax is concerned the plans will be shelved
South Dorset MP Richard Drax has today asked the Education Minister to confirm that the new, special school for Portland is still scheduled to open in 2024.
The school, designated for special educational needs (SEND), for children aged 14-19, was originally expected to open in September 2023.
“Now there is to be no sign of it until September next year, said Mr Drax, “We are all nervous that somehow it may disappear.”
The Dorset MP was speaking after a statement by Education Minister Claire Coutinho on progress to improve outcomes for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities or in alternative provision in England.
Announcing the “Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and Alternative Provision Improvement Plan,” the Minister announced a £2.6 bn capital programme for special and alternative provision places by 2025, £400m in additional funding from the recent Autumn statement and 33 new schools with 49 more planned.
Mr Drax said her statement “will provide some reassurance to many of my constituents who have voiced their frustration with the whole SEND system. Dorset Council does its best, but problems have been identified in diagnosis prior to SEND support, particularly for those with autism.”
The Minister confirmed that parents had “lost trust in the system” and “ who were battling to access specialist education, health or care services, including mental health services.”
Ms Coutinho added, “Autism is one of the areas in which need has most risen. We will work with the NHS on new autism diagnostic pathways, as well as increasing the overall number of educational psychologists in the system so that people can get a diagnosis as early as possible.”
She said that she would be “delighted” to meet Mr Drax “about his local specialist school.”