Green light for special needs hub

Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) will get better support after proposals from Lincolnshire County Council were given the go-ahead.

Under the plans new SEND hubs will be created in five local authority-maintained primary schools including Meadows Primary in Lincoln.

 The Department of Education has already approved proposals for similar hubs in six primary academies and two secondary academies, which include Lincoln Ermine and North Kesteven respectively.

Around £7m will be invested to establish these new facilities, recruit additional specially trained teachers and create an 210 additional spaces for SEND pupils helping to meet rising demand. 

Cllr Natalie Oliver, executive member for children’s services, said: “We know that, given the right support, many young people with SEND will do better in a mainstream school than they would in a special school. These new hubs will offer pupils the targeted, high-quality support they need, in smaller classes led by skilled staff. This will make a real difference to these young people, helping them reach their full potential.”

Work on the new hubs is due to start in the autumn, and all 13 are expected to be completed by autumn 2026.