Enabling young people to thrive through local learning
Children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in North Yorkshire are being supported through a £3 million investment to learn locally, thrive and reach their future aspirations in a caring and nurturing environment.
Despite the financial challenges facing local authorities, we are 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 pressures on SEND services have seen the number of children with Educational Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) in North Yorkshire rise sharply from 1,700 in 2015 to more than 6,000 in 2025.
Our 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.”
Investment has now been provided at two sites in North Yorkshire - the Post-16 Brooklands School in Skipton and Springwater School in Harrogate.
Skipton’s former Ings Primary School, which closed in 2017, has been given a new lease of life and renamed as Brooklands after undergoing a £1 million renovation programme and offers places for students aged 16 to 19 in refurbished classrooms and work-related learning areas.
Meanwhile, Springwater School, which is in Starbeck on the outskirts of Harrogate, has increased 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.
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.