Cornwall to Receive £9.18 Million for SEND School Support

Cornwall is set to receive more than £9 million to improve support for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), as part of a major national funding package.

The government has announced the first round of over £3 billion aimed at creating more inclusive classrooms across England. Within this, Cornwall Council will receive £9,189,421.94 to help deliver more specialist places and improve access to support in local schools.

More support closer to home

The funding is intended to help more children and young people attend their local school, rather than travelling long distances to access suitable education.

Anna Gelderd, Member of Parliament for South East Cornwall, has been campaigning for improved SEND provision in the area. Her work has included holding a SEND roundtable with local residents and education professionals, hosting a drop-in session through her casework team, and launching two surveys to gather feedback from families.

Anna also raised the issue directly with government ministers, including Schools Minister Georgia Gould OBE MP and Minister for Schools Josh MacAlister OBE MP.

Anna Gelderd said:
“Talking with local families and education professionals, it’s been clear from day one as your MP that SEND provision must improve in South East Cornwall. I know that parents want their children to get the right support closer to home rather than having to travel long distances to get the education they deserve.

“Our young people and their families have been left struggling and that must change. I’ve been campaigning for more investment in SEND provision in South East Cornwall. I am delighted to see this £9 million allocated, which is more than a 10% increase year-on-year, and will create specialist places and train teachers to meet a range of needs closer to home.

“I am determined to improve SEND support in our area, and I will continue to do all I can to ensure this money is used effectively so that we can finally deliver better support for SEND families.”

Focus on mainstream inclusion

As part of the funding, Cornwall Council will be required to sign an agreement to prioritise increasing SEND places within mainstream schools.

This includes developing Inclusion Bases in secondary schools, designed to allow pupils to move between specialist support and mainstream classes. The aim is to provide early support as part of everyday school life.

Councils are also expected to adopt strategies that reduce the need for children with SEND to travel long distances and ensure access to appropriate support locally.

Wider national investment

The Cornwall allocation forms part of an £860 million package distributed to councils across England, described as the largest single high needs capital allocation to date.

In addition, £500 million per year is being allocated nationally to nurseries, schools and colleges to strengthen inclusive education. Estimates suggest the average primary school will receive around £14,000 through the Inclusive Mainstream Fund, with secondary schools receiving around £48,000 in 2026 to 2027.

Schools Minister Georgia Gould OBE MP said:
“Just last month, we set out once-in-a-generation SEND reforms. We’re now acting quickly to deliver the changes that make sure more children can thrive at their local school, with their friends.

“Inclusion is a choice, one this government is proud to make, and the funding we’re backing councils with today will help make it a reality.

“Every school can, and will, have a bespoke environment that children with SEND – and their families – can rely on, ultimately rebuilding trust in the system and transforming outcomes for young people”

Improving school environments

The funding can also be used to adapt school buildings to make them more inclusive. This could include improvements to ventilation, acoustics and lighting to create more suitable sensory environments for pupils.

Councils may also invest in special school and alternative provision places for children with the most complex needs, where there is clear evidence this better meets local demand.

The announcement follows the government’s wider SEND reforms and aims to improve consistency in support, addressing concerns around differences in provision depending on location.

For families in South East Cornwall, the funding is expected to play a key role in expanding access to support and improving outcomes for children with SEND.

📷Anna at her SEND Roundtable