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Search the Public Notice PortalSpecial needs provision could be expanded at four Somerset schools under new proposals put forward by Somerset Council.
Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are usually educated in one of two contexts: either at specialist schools constructed by the council, or within mainstream schools in line with agreed education, health and care plans (EHCPs).
The council has faced numerous challenges on this front in recent years, with existing specialist schools operating at full capacity and the number of young people with EHCPs rising.
These issues have in turn led to higher transport costs to the council from transporting SEND children to specialist providers further afield, and to numerous complaints made by parents to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) when EHCPs are not reviewed in a timely fashion.
To address these problems, the council decided in March 2025 that 15 new SEND pupil units will be created within existing schools, allowing more SEND children to have a normal education.
The council has now launched consultations on proposals to expand SEND provision at four key sites across the county, including new specialist units, additional classrooms and other measures designed to provide new places.
At Polden Bower School, located on Bower Lane in Bridgwater, the council intends to construct four new classrooms to provide 32 extra places on site, including its total capacity to 248 pupils.
An additional 16 places will also be created through "satellite provision" at Somerset Bridge Primary School on Stockmoor Drove, at the southern end of the town.
Provision at this later site could begin as early as September, while the Polden Bower expansion could take a year to implement.
At Holway Park Community Primary School, located on Shakespeare Avenue in Taunton, the existing SEND unit will be expanded from September, increasing the number of specialist places available on site from 40 to 50.
These additional SEND pupils will "replace some of the reduction in numbers of mainstream pupils on roll due to the falling birth rate", meaning the overall capacity of the school will not change.
At Hindhayes Infant School, on Leigh Road in Street, a new SEND unit will open in September to provide intensive support for between six and eight pupils with EHCPs.
Finally, Oaklands Primary School on Parfields in Yeovil will see its existing Oaklands Centre expanded by September 2027, increasing the number of available places from 14 to 32.
To take part in the public consultations regarding each of the four sites, visit www.somersetcouncil.citizenspace.com by July 10.
A spokesperson said: "Your feedback will help us understand the benefits, concerns, and local impact of these plans.
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"We want to hear from you if you are a pupil, parent, carer, staff member, or local resident with an interest in the school.
"We would like to know if you support the proposals and if you have any comments that we should consider."
Each of the new projects will be funded through the Department for Education (DfE), with the government providing the council with £9.3m in 2026/27 through its 'high needs provision capital allocation' (which must be spent on additional SEND places).
