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A £3m package to fund the expansion of three Nottinghamshire schools for the benefit of pupils with specialist educationalist needs has been approved by the county council.

Councillors gave the green light to the spending of the funds – £3.3m overall – at today’s Finance Committee (Monday 21 March 2022) as part of the council’s ambitious SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) programme.

The three schools to benefit are King Edward Primary School in Mansfield, Derrymount School in Daybrook and Newark Orchard School. The works will provide an extra 74 pupil places and additional features such as calm rooms and calm play areas. 

Construction is expected to finish for all three schools by the winter. The projects contribute to the SEND programme’s aim to create an additional 375 school places across Nottinghamshire by 2026.

Chairman of the Finance Committee, Councillor Richard Jackson, said: “It is good news that councillors on my committee have given the green light to this substantial sum to help youngsters with special educational needs receive an improved learning and classroom experience.

“Our excellent SEND programme is vital and will create nearly 400 new school places across Nottinghamshire over the next four years - the £3m signed off today for schools in Mansfield, Daybrook, and Newark is proof of our ambitions.

“This council is committed to providing good schools with sufficient places for all Nottinghamshire children, while at the same time spending wisely and aiming to continue to deliver a balanced budget for each of the next three years.”

Dan Maher, Managing Director of Arc Partnership said: “This is great news. We’re extremely proud to be delivering the works to expand these three SEND schools which will continue to provide excellent education to young people in an environment where they can thrive.”