Five more Lincolnshire schools chosen for special needs classrooms
Five Lincolnshire primary schools are set to get new facilities for children with special needs.
Pupils in Lincoln, Boston, Sleaford, Tetford and Butterwick who struggle in mainstream classrooms will be able to benefit from smaller class sizes, while they will also avoid having to travel to specialist schools as part of the measures.
A total of 70 places will be created with seven new hubs across the sites.
The new rooms will be built in:
⦁ Sir Francis Hill Community Primary School, Lincoln
⦁ Church Lane Primary School & Nursery, Sleaford
⦁ Hawthorn Tree School, Boston
⦁ Butterwick Pinchbeck’s Endowed CofE Primary School
⦁ The Edward Richardson Primary School, Tetford
Lincolnshire County Council is aiming to open more than 40 hubs at primary schools over the next two years, keeping more children in mainstream education.
It is hoped this will also bring down the reliance on costly independent schools at the taxpayers’ expense.
The Culture and Children’s Committee gave enthusiastic backing for the plans on Friday (April 24), with final approval due to be given by portfolio holder, Councillor Natalie Oliver soon.
Reform Coun Jimmy Brookes said: “These are really beneficial for all young children, and I’ve seen their impact as a school governor.
“I’m looking forward to more hubs coming to deprived areas like Skegness.”
The schools will receive funding for one additional teacher and two teaching assistants per hub.
Conservative Coun Stephen Roe said: “This is a great local service, stopping children from having to travel great distances to establishments that can meet their needs.”
Councillors were told that the authority also hoped to open similar hubs in secondary schools, to continue support throughout children’s education.
Questions were asked whether the hub at Sir Francis Hill Community Primary School would succeed as the school is rated ‘Requires Improvement’ by Ofsted in most areas.
Martin Smith, the council’s assistant director of children’s education, said there had been ‘historical concerns which have been resolved, and we have great confidence in the new head’.
“The school is making really good progress, with improved behaviour and reduced suspensions,” he added.