| A new 70-place special school will be developed in Enfield as part of a tranche of 131 free schools announced by the government.
The school in Bell Lane will cater for those aged between 11-19 with social, emotional and mental health needs (SEMH).
Potential applicants to manage the new school are now being sought by Enfield Council and the Department for Education through the special free schools’ competition which launched on 27 July. The deadline for applications is mid-day on 24 November 2017.
Enfield Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Children’s Services & Protection, Cllr Ayfer Orhan, said: “We are strongly supportive of the provision of extra school places for people with social, emotional and mental health needs in Enfield.
“We work closely with all of our schools to ensure there is sufficient provision for young people with additional needs but there is constant and high demand for a special school places in our borough and extra provision will increase both the degree of choice and level of provision for children who require the greatest levels of educational support.
“Currently many students have to travel out of the borough to access the special learning environments and support that they need. Enfield Council is focused on increasing special provision and has already committed to a new 120 place school for autism in Southgate as well as the development of West Lea School’s campus increasing its capacity by 50 per cent.
“Addressing the need for special provision is at the forefront our Pupil Places Strategy and School Expansion Programme.
“We are committed to working with all of our schools to improve outcomes for pupils and would urge any one who wishes to help us promote fairness for all and help us ensure every young person has access to a school which meets their needs to find out more about the free schools competition.”
A spokesperson for the DfE said’ Young people with special educational needs and disabilities are more likely than others to come from disadvantaged backgrounds, and are amongst the most likely to be unemployed once they finish school.
“Local authorities need to have a broad range of provision to meet the special educational needs of children and young people in their area so that, regardless of individuals’ needs, they all have an opportunity to make good progress. Developing new special free schools will contribute to this by better enabling local areas to meet the needs of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.”
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