Families who have children with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) are being asked for their views on provision in the city.
Families, carers and professionals who work with children with SEND are being asked to complete a survey about proposals revealed in a draft SEND sufficiency strategy and action plan which was recently published.
In January 2019, 14.3 percent of pupils in Hull schools were on SEN (special educational needs) support, and 3.2 percent – those with the most complex needs- had an Education Health and Care (EHC) plan.
The number of pupils with an EHC plan is expected to increase year-on-year.
The Department for Education school census 2019 data showed 6,400 pupils with SEND needs and SEN support, or with an EHC plan, were in a mainstream school and 653 were in a specialist school.
Councillor Peter Clark, portfolio holder for learning, skills and safeguarding children, said: “We are focused on a joint endeavour with schools to improve educational outcomes for all children and young people in the city over the next five years. This includes ensuring that children access a curriculum that is appropriate for their learning needs and that there is enough designated specialist provision.”
Hull City Council has started to increase the number of places available for children and young people with SEND by extending existing special schools, setting up 10 resource bases for pupils with autism at both Bricknell and Spring Cottage primary academies and successfully applying to the Department for Education for funding to set up a new 125 place free school for pupils with severe learning difficulties, with a proposed opening date of September 2021.
Three information events will take place this week:
- Tuesday 24 September 1.30pm to 3pm at Ganton Special School
- Wednesday 25 September 6pm to 7.30pm at Tweendykes Special School
- Friday 27 September 10am to 11.30am at Fredrick Holmes Special School
The survey is open until Monday 14 October. Complete it here.
