£105 million to open 15 new special free schools

The Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has unveiled that the government will spend £105 million opening 15 new special free schools in the Spring Budget.

Hunt said: "Special educational need provision can be excellent when outsourced to independent sector schools but also expensive, so we will invest £105m over the next four years to build 15 new special free schools to create additional high-quality places and increase choice for parents."

The Chancellor also announced Public Sector Productivity Plan, but did not say how and if the education sector would be included.

The Public Sector Productivity Plan aims to return public sector productivity back to pre-pandemic levels. Backed by £4.2 billion in funding, the plan will allow public services to invest in new technologies like AI, replace outdated IT systems, free up frontline workers from time-consuming admin tasks and take action to reduce costs down the line.

Paul Whiteman, general secretary at school leaders' union NAHT, said: “While the investment in new special schools is welcome, it does not begin to address the huge shortages of specialist staff, capacity and funding for pupils with SEND, either in schools or the wider social care and health services which are already under so much strain.

“Until the fall in teachers’ and leaders’ pay is addressed, and working conditions are improved, the spiralling crisis in teacher recruitment and retention is only set to worsen.

“When the election comes – we will be uncompromising in our ask to all parties to provide funding for our children – to repair the school estate, provide essential services for vulnerable children and recruit and retain enough teachers.”