Council still has no cash for school

COUNCIL bosses in Newcastle still do not have the money to build a “much-needed” school for children with autism.

- DANIEL HOLLAND Local democracy reporter

Plans were unveiled in February 2024 for a specialist school in Byker that could support almost 200 children and young people aged four to 16.

But, almost 18 months later, the project remains unfunded. City councillors were told last week that two bids for government money to pay for the new school had been turned down by the Department for Education.

Education secretary Bridget Phillipson said last week that Labour had invested £740m to create more places for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) within mainstream schools.