Tameside Council announces £1.5 million SEND investment

Tameside Council has announced they will be investing £1.5 million into SEND education across the borough.

The investment will see an additional 133 school places opened up to students with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) in Tameside.

The plan was approved following a public consultation, and the first phase will take effect from September of this year. 

An inspection of SEND services for children in Tameside was released last week, with Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission condemning 'widespread' and 'systemic' failings within the service. 

Published on Thursday (3rd July), the report said children were waiting too long for education, health and care plans. 

"There are widespread and/or systemic failings leading to significant concerns about the experiences and outcomes of children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), which the local area partnership must address urgently," the report said.

“Too many children and young people with SEND, and their families, do not receive the support that they need to thrive.

“Recently appointed local area leaders are keen to ensure that children and young people with SEND are at the heart of all that they do. They are fully committed to bringing their vision to improve provision for children and young people with SEND into reality.

“A fundamental barrier that remains is an overwhelming culture of distrust and frustration from stakeholders in Tameside. Although some inroads have been made in winning hearts and minds, there is much more still to do.”

Tameside Council's first phase of the plan will see new school places localised in St Mary's RC Primary School in Denton, with a further nine 'learning bases' set to be put in place in some academy schools. 

From September 2026, additional SEND places are expected to be introduced to these nine schools, pending approval from the Department for Education. 

The nine schools currently listed for the plan are: 

• Greenfield Academy
• Oakfield Primary School
• Manor Green Primary Academy
• Endeavour Primary Academy
• Silver Springs Primary Academy
• Copley Secondary Academy
• All Saints Catholic College
• St George’s CE Primary School
• St Mary’s Dukinfield

In the announcement, the council said they were hopeful the plans would give SEND students schools closer to home which would support their individual needs. 

Tameside Council’s Executive Member for Lifelong Learning and Culture, Councillor Leanne Feeley said: “The proposal that has been approved for the additional school places in Tameside is really positive news and will help meet the needs of young people in education. The investment into SEND education will also contribute to healthy and active lives while ensuring financially sustainable public services as a foundation for long-term sustainability.

“The proposals offer the opportunity of better outcomes for children who are able to have a school place able to meet their individual learning needs closer to home.”