Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are getting a boost to their learning thanks to a £500,000 investment.

The Higher Needs Capital Fund will see the money spent across multiple Torbay maintained schools and academies to support new places for young people with SEND or requiring alternative provision.

Maintained schools, academies, special schools, and alternative provision providers were invited to submit expressions of interest to the fund detailing their plans to support SEND children.

So far, 11 schools have benefitted from 12 awards from the fund, which was made in April and allocated by us.

Just over £340,000 has been spent with a further eight projects under consideration. 

Projects supported by this funding stream to date include:

Wellbeing and Sensory Provision

• STEPS
• Curledge Street Academy
• Kings Ash Academy
• Paignton Academy

Social Emotional and Mental Health Hub

• Cockington Primary

Nurture Provision

• Warberry Primary
• Watcombe Primary
• St Margaret’s Academy

Platform lifts

• Preston Primary School
• Sherwell Valley Primary School
• Paignton Academy

Sensory Room

• Mayfield School Chestnut site

Councillor Cordelia Law, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “I’m delighted that this funding has been allocated to help those children who need extra help while they’re learning.

“The funding is going to a wide selection of settings across Torbay and will be used in various ways – from hubs to support better mental health to platform lifts for physically-disabled young people. This ensures whatever their needs, SEND children are getting the most-targeted form of support.”