Two new special schools for Birmingham

Birmingham: Proposals for the creation of two free schools for children with special educational needs have been approved.

The Department for Education today announced that an all-through school and a school for 14-19 year-olds will go ahead in Birmingham, following successful applications by the city council.

The schools will be in the south and central areas of the city respectively and it is expected they will provide around 500 new places, pending precise locations of the new-build schools.

Cllr Karen McCarthy, cabinet member for children, young people and families, said: “There is an acute shortage of special school places across the country and Birmingham is no exception, so this is really good news.

“Having these extra places will ease the pressure on our existing special schools and allow our children and families to access the much-needed provision they are entitled to.”

Unlike the usual free school process, the council will take the lead on identifying an appropriate sponsor to run the schools, though the final decision will lie with the schools minister.