PLANS to build a free school in Shirley has been halted.
Solihull Council will not receive capital funding from the government to create the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) school on Tanworth Lane for those aged 11 to 19.
Instead it will get funds to create new specialist places in mainstream schools under government plans.
The Department for Education has announced plans to invest at least £3billion to create tens of thousands of new specialist places in mainstream schools across the country.
The government also confirmed it will deliver on all 10,000 places – in all areas – due to be created by planned special free schools on top of those places created through the funding.
It said this would be completed either by building the planned schools, or by giving local authorities the funding to create the equivalent number of specialist places themselves – often more quickly than through free school projects.
Councillor Karen Grinsell, leader of Solihull Council said: “I am hugely disappointed that the Department for Education has decided not to proceed with the planned new 150 place special free school on Tanworth Lane.
“This school would have provided specialist spaces for pupils aged 11 to 19 whose needs cannot currently be met in mainstream education.
“While I regret that Solihull will not receive the capital funding for a new school building, I welcome the investment that has been allocated to create new specialist places in other ways.
“This funding will allow us to act sooner, ensuring that children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can access the support they need closer to home, and in many cases at schools near where they live.
“I want to reassure parents and families that we will work closely with schools to expand provision, develop inclusive mainstream opportunities, and listen carefully to the voices of parents and carers.
“By creating specialist places linked to existing schools, we can meet demand more quickly and provide high quality education and support for children who need it most.
“Although this is much less funding than would have been required to build a new school, it is still an investment for Solihull’s children and families. We are determined to use it effectively to deliver inclusive, sustainable provision that helps our young people learn, achieve, and thrive.”
Earlier this year Solihull Council approved a 125 year lease of the land to Secretary of State for Education at the Sans Souci Teaching Centre to be used as the free school.
