Wolverhampton School to Double SEND Spaces with £1.5m Council Investment
The City of Wolverhampton Council has approved a significant £1.5 million investment to expand special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision at Ormiston NEW Academy. This funding will enable the school to double its SEND resource base capacity, increasing from 20 to 40 dedicated spaces by September 2028.
Phased Expansion Plan for Enhanced Support
The expansion will be implemented in two strategic phases. By September 2027, the school will add ten new SEND places, followed by an additional ten places the following year. This gradual increase ensures a smooth transition and maintains the quality of support for students with complex needs.
Ormiston NEW Academy, located on Marsh Lane in Fordhouses, Wolverhampton, initially established its SEND resource base in September last year. The facility started with ten places focused on speech, language, and communication support, which was subsequently expanded to 20 places to address immediate demand.
Infrastructure Upgrades and Facility Improvements
The £1.5 million project includes substantial infrastructure upgrades to accommodate the growing SEND provision. The existing SEND resource base will be extended, requiring the relocation of current facilities. Specifically, the school's food technology room and performing arts facilities will be repurposed to make way for the expanded SEND spaces.
To compensate for these changes, the council has planned the construction of a new food technology room and a dedicated drama studio. Additionally, new and refurbished changing rooms will be built to replace those affected by the expansion, ensuring that all students continue to have access to essential amenities.
Addressing Rising Demand for Specialist Education
City of Wolverhampton Council officials have highlighted a significant increase in demand for specialist school places in recent years. The number of children in Wolverhampton with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) has surged from 2,199 in 2020 to 3,300 by the end of 2025.
This growing need has placed considerable pressure on local resources. The council's decision notice states, "Demand for provision is currently increasing faster than places can be implemented, leading to a high dependence on placing children in independent provision both inside and outside of Wolverhampton." This reliance on external placements comes at a high cost to the local authority, both in terms of annual fees and transportation expenses.
Regional Impact and Consultation Trends
The council is also facing increasing consultation requests from other West Midlands authorities for places in Wolverhampton's special schools. As of December 2025, there were 484 consultations from other local authorities for special school placements and 12 consultations for resource bases. These requests often result in contested tribunal cases, further emphasizing the critical need for expanded local provision.
SEND resource bases are specialized units within mainstream schools designed to provide tailored support for children with complex special educational needs. By integrating these services into mainstream settings, students can benefit from a more inclusive educational environment while receiving the specialized assistance they require.
This expansion at Ormiston NEW Academy represents a proactive step by the City of Wolverhampton Council to address the escalating demand for SEND places, reduce reliance on costly external placements, and enhance educational outcomes for children with special needs in the region.
