Schools to get new rooms to support SEND pupils

Five primary schools in Lincolnshire are set to get new facilities to accommodate children with special needs.

Smaller rooms will be put in place by Lincolnshire County Council for students who struggle with mainstream classrooms in schools in Lincoln, Boston, Sleaford, Tetford and Butterwick.

The scheme will create a total of 70 places for special educational needs and disability (SEND) students, with seven hubs across the five schools.

The council is aiming to open more than 40 hubs at primary schools over the next two years.

It is hoped it will bring down the need to rely on independent schools at taxpayers' expense.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the council's culture and children's scrutiny committee gave its backing to the plans on Friday, with final approval due to be given by Natalie Oliver, the portfolio holder for children's services.

Reform UK councillor Jimmy Brookes said: "These are really beneficial for all young children, and I've seen their impact as a school governor."

Conservative member Stephen Roe said: "This is a great local service, stopping children from having to travel great distances to establishments that can meet their needs."

The new rooms would be built in:

⦁ Sir Francis Hill Community Primary School, Lincoln

⦁ Church Lane Primary School & Nursery, Sleaford

⦁ Hawthorn Tree School, Boston

⦁ Butterwick Pinchbeck's Endowed Church of England Primary School, near Boston

⦁ The Edward Richardson Primary School, Tetford, near Horncastle

Listen to highlights fromLincolnshire on BBC Sounds, and watch thelatest episode of Look North.

Download the BBC News app from the App Storefor iPhone and iPad orGoogle Play for Android devices