Legal News

Bradford Council has secured government funding to build a new social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) special free school.

The council says the proposals – which will be subject to planning permission – will offer holistic, whole-life services based around excellent education, family care and work-life support.

The SEMH school will have space for 72 pupils, with a 12-bed residential facility.

A condition of the funding will see the council advertise to appoint a new sponsor to run the school.

In Autumn 2016, the education and skills funding agency (ESFA) announced a new capital funding programme aimed at creating new provision in the special school sectors.

The council worked with major partners in the district and with neighbouring councils to submit a bid to the ESFA in November 2016.

Bradford Council strategic director of children’s services, Michael Jameson, said:

“Getting this funding from central government has involved a lot of work and planning from a number of partners – it’s good news for the district that we are able to expand provision for children with special educational needs and disabilities.”

Portfolio holder for education, employment and skills, Cllr Imran Khan, added:

“We welcome this investment in Bradford – we need more school spaces for our children and young people, especially children who have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

“This will help us to meet the need for more SEND places across our district.”

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