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Funding for UK SEND but special free schools face uncertainty
Despite progress, up to 77 free school projects could end
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By Peter Clark (Senior Editor, Autism Info Center) Monday 15th December 2025 |
The Department for Education (DfE) has announced a £3 billion investment to create 50,000 new specialist places for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), primarily within mainstream schools.
This initiative aims to reduce travel distances and ensure children remain embedded in their local communities, addressing rising home-to-school transport costs which saw councils overspend by £415 million last year.
However, this strategy creates uncertainty for 77 planned special and alternative provision (AP) free schools.
While 15 projects will proceed as planned, others may be replaced by direct funding to local councils, allowing them to deliver places more flexibly.
Eighteen projects lacking identified trusts have already been cancelled, with the funds diverted to councils instead.
Concerns have been raised by school leaders that this shift might result in substandard mainstream units rather than necessary dedicated special schools.
The NAHT union welcomed the investment but noted that successful inclusion relies on trained staff, not just physical buildings.
Furthermore, the DfE announced that 28 mainstream free school projects are likely to be cancelled due to falling pupil numbers, a move criticised by the Shadow Education Secretary.
Source: Tes (UK)
https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/specialist-sector/
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