The government has announced plans to invest £3bn over the next three years to enhance provision for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) facilities in mainstream schools across England. The government has said that this plan will help create 50,000 more places for children with special educational needs, with this becoming the main area of focus rather than prioritising specialist new-build schools.
At Lea Hough, we welcome this approach and believe it reflects a more inclusive, pragmatic and cost-effective way of meeting the rising demand for SEND places.
From our experience of delivering SEND schemes over recent years, this funding is expected to follow a familiar route. Capital funding will be passed from central government and the Department for Education to Local Authorities, who will then decide how it is allocated locally. In many cases, Local Authorities may invite schools to put forward proposals for SEND adaptations or remodelling projects.
This local application-based approach has been operating for the past year or two and is how Lea Hough has previously been appointed to manage SEND projects.
Why adapting existing schools makes sense
In our view, existing schools often provide an excellent environment for SEND pupils. Being educated in a familiar, local setting alongside mainstream peers can offer significant social and emotional benefits, both for pupils and for their families. It also reduces the need for long journeys to specialist schools, which can be challenging for children and parents alike.
From a value-for-money perspective, adapting and remodelling existing buildings is frequently far more efficient than purchasing land and constructing new schools from scratch. Many schools already have underused or adaptable spaces that can be transformed into high-quality SEND units at a fraction of the cost of a new-build project.
Lea Hough’s experience in SEND adaptations
Lea Hough has extensive experience working with schools and Local Authorities to develop SEND facilities within existing educational environments. We regularly support clients from the very earliest feasibility stage, helping to explore ideas, assess constraints and develop realistic budget costs prior to funding applications.
Our involvement can then continue through detailed design, Building Regulations approvals, specifications, tendering and full contract administration, ensuring that SEND spaces are delivered efficiently and sensitively, with the needs of pupils and staff at the heart of the design.
Contact Lea Hough’s School Building Consultants
Lea Hough is pleased to see this investment being prioritised and would be happy to discuss how schools and Local Authorities can develop practical, high-quality SEND solutions within their existing estates. To begin an initial discussion with our experienced team or arrange a site visit, please get in touch.
