Children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in North Yorkshire are being supported through a £3 million investment.
North Yorkshire Council is continuing to support families, children and young people with SEND by increasing the number of specialist school places across the county, ensuring every child or young person has the best opportunities for their education.
The start of the academic year has seen the opening of post-16 specialist provision in Skipton.
The town’s former Ings Primary School, which closed in 2017, has been given a new lease of life after undergoing a £1 million renovation programme.
The pressures on SEND services have seen the number of children with Educational Health Care Plans (EHCPs) in North Yorkshire rise sharply from 1,700 in 2015 to more than 6,000 in 2025.
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for education, learning and skills, Cllr Annabel Wilkinson, said:
“We recognise the demand for special school places and the pressures facing families.
“The investment in creating dedicated spaces for children with specialist needs reflects our determination to ensure that every child – regardless of background and need – can thrive in a supportive and well-resourced learning environment within their local communities.”
The Post-16 Brooklands School in Broughton Road offers places for students aged 16 to 19 in refurbished classrooms and work-related learning areas.
The facility boasts Changing Places toilets for anyone with accessibility issues, dedicated space for music and movement and a fully-fitted kitchen, dining room and designated independence areas where students can learn key life skills such as cooking, baking, making a cup of tea or coffee, ironing, making a bed and using a washing machine.
All classrooms have been refurnished and there are dedicated outdoor spaces where pupils can experience horticulture.
The school’s assistant headteacher, Mrs Samantha Emmott, said:
“We are delighted that our post-16 students have a dedicated space to learn and thrive and they are really enjoying their new ‘home’.
“Post 16 provision is absolutely vital for ensuring that young people with additional needs can thrive academically, socially and emotionally during a pivotal stage of their education.
“Our curriculum is fully tailored to meet the individual needs of our pupils’ future aspirations. For example, one of the most important features of the kitchen are the rise and fall worktops where students with physical disabilities can comfortably and successfully work.
“Our pupils have a wide range of complex needs, but Brooklands is a bridge to adulthood including higher education or employment. Our school helps students develop independence, life skills and confidence.”
Meanwhile, Springwater School in Harrogate is helping to meet the growing demand for specialist education after being expanded to accommodate dozens of extra pupils.
The community special school in Starbeck has increase its pupil numbers from 112 to 157 after the redevelopment of two neighbouring buildings to create dedicated classrooms, new changing facilities, outdoor space including an area for sixth-form pupils and a kitchen.
Architects and engineers at Align Property Partners, the council’s property consultancy, have been heavily involved in the development of the new facilities at Springwater.
There are hoists in most classrooms and those most in need of physical support can access changing spaces without the need to transfer between equipment. There is a training kitchen, comprising one low-level, accessible domestic kitchen and two higher level kitchens.
These are attached to a serving hatch and café, meaning that students can gain the skills vital for independent living as well as running an enterprise activity.
As well as valuable outdoor space, the extended facility includes environmental adaptations with the installation of solar panels.
The school’s headteacher, Mr Mike Finlay, said:
“The investment is not only providing more local places for families of children with specialist needs, but also significantly improving the facilities available to all pupils who attend the school now and in the future.
“We have worked together with the contractors and North Yorkshire Council to deliver the very best education for the county’s young people who have additional support needs and we’re pleased with the result.”
The opening of Post-16 Brooklands School and the expansion of Springwater School follow the announcement that The Lighthouse School has been appointed to run a new specialist secondary school in Harrogate for children with autism following a £2.4 million investment by the authority.
In addition, construction has started to build a specialist school in Osgodby, near Selby.
North Yorkshire Council’s assistant director for inclusion, Amanda Fielding, said:
“All pupils should have access to the resources and support needed to fulfil their potential.
“The SEND school places being created across the county will ensure that even more children and young people with additional needs can benefit from excellent facilities and high-quality learning environments close to their homes, reducing travel times.”
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