Plans for a major new special school in Solihull have been scrapped after the government announced a significant change in national funding policy.
Funding Shift Scraps Shirley School Project
Solihull Council has confirmed it will not receive crucial funding for a proposed 150-place special school, forcing the authority to abandon the project. The decision follows a government announcement that it will spend £3 billion nationally to create new specialist places within mainstream schools instead of building new dedicated facilities.
The council had successfully applied to the Department for Education (DfE) last year, with Solihull selected as one of four locations in the Midlands for a new special educational needs school. The chosen site was the Sans Souci Training Centre on Tamworth Lane in Shirley, a current training centre.
Council Leader's 'Disappointment' and New Direction
Councillor Karen Grinsell, leader of the Conservative-run Solihull Council, stated she was "hugely disappointed" by the DfE's decision not to proceed with the new £15 million school, which was intended for pupils aged 11 to 19.
"While I regret Solihull will not receive the capital funding for a new school building, I welcome the investment that has been allocated to create new specialist places in other ways," Grinsell said. She emphasised that the alternative funding would allow the council to act sooner, providing support closer to children's homes.
The council has pledged to work with schools to expand provision and develop inclusive mainstream opportunities, vowing to listen carefully to parents and carers.
Government's New Vision for SEND Support
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson outlined the government's new direction, stating it aims to fix a "broken education system" for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The goal is to ensure a child's local school is also the right school for them.
The £3 billion in new funding will be used to adapt mainstream schools. This includes creating:
- Calming spaces for children who may feel overstimulated, such as those with autism or ADHD.
- Breakout spaces for pupils needing additional support.
Phillipson said the policy shift would lay the foundations of a new system, moving children with SEND "from forgotten to included" and aiming to earn the confidence of parents. The council now faces the task of implementing this new model of support across Solihull's existing schools.
