Cash available for SEND school places.
Local MPs Callum Anderson, Emily Darlington and Chris Curtis have today welcomed the news that more children and young people across the city will be able to achieve and thrive at their local school.
The news comes as the government allocates the first round of more than £3 billion to create inclusive classrooms across the country.
Around £860 million will be allocated to councils across England – the largest ever single high needs capital allocation – to create more inclusive physical spaces and drive a transformative expansion of Inclusion Bases, so that early specialist support becomes part of the fabric of mainstream schools.
Locally, Milton Keynes is set to receive over £3.9 million – an increase of over £580,000 compared with the last allocation of funding – to ensure children and families across the county can benefit from truly inclusive schools.
Milton Keynes Council will be required to work with schools and partners to make best use of the funding to increase the availability of high-quality local places for children with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities). This includes improving accessibility, reducing the need for long journeys to school, and ensuring that children and families can access the support they need within their communities.
Callum (Buckingham and Bletchley), Emily (Milton Keynes Central), and Chris (Milton Keynes North) – have all committed to continuing to work closely with Milton Keynes Council, schools and families to ensure this investment delivers for local children and reflects the needs of the community.
All three have held, or will be holding, local roundtables on SEND with parents and carers, and they have each heard first-hand from schools how the system has become increasingly challenging for families in recent years.
This announcement follows the government’s landmark SEND reforms and is a significant step towards ending the postcode lottery of support, so that every child has access to a brilliant, inclusive education closer to home.
“Just last month, we set out once-in-a-generation SEND reforms and we’re now acting quickly to deliver the changes that make sure more children can thrive at their local school, with their friends,” said Georgia Gould, Schools Minister.
“Inclusion is a choice, one this government is proud to make, and the funding we’re backing councils with today will help make it a reality. Every school can and will have a bespoke environment that children with SEND – and their families – can rely on, ultimately rebuilding trust in the system and transforming outcomes for young people”
“Having visited schools such as Sir Herbert Leon and Priory Rise, I know just how important it is for pupils to have access to mainstream SEND provision, alongside the excellent specialist support available in schools like White Spire,” said Callum Anderson.
“There is still more to be done to ensure that every pupil receives the education they deserve, but this is a fantastic start. Our government has listened, and is acting quickly and effectively to improve SEND provision”
“This funding is going to make such a difference for children with SEND needs and their families,” said Emily Darlington. “We know that if kids are given the right environment, tailored support, and space to thrive, the benefits ripple far beyond the classroom into families and entire communities.”
“In November, I held a SEND forum in Milton Keynes North and wrote to the Minister with parents’ feedback, and I’m hosting another in the coming weeks to feed into the consultation process,” added Chris Curtis. “Seeing funding injected in the meantime means more children can be supported now while we work to fix the system in the long-term.”
