A total of 44 additional Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) places across two Isle of Wight schools could be approved next week, amid an ‘urgent need’ for the provision.
Two schools, two different proposals
The children’s services, education and skills committee will decide on an expansion of Medina House School in Newport from 168 places to 204 and the creation of a new eight place resourced provision at The Bay CE School’s secondary site.
Provided at the former site of Barton Primary School, the 36 Medina House places are planned for September 2027.
The new provision at The Bay CE School is planned for September this year.
These proposals will help manage greater numbers of children with an education and health care plan (EHCP) and who need a specialist education placement for their needs to be met, according to a committee report.
It says,
“The proposed expansions were reviewed in further detail and after carefully considering the outcome of the consultation period, alongside the urgent need for specialist places it was concluded that both proposals should be implemented.”
What is an EHCP?
EHCPs are for children and young people aged up to 25 who need extra assistance than is available through special educational needs support.
They determine educational, health and social needs and present the additional support to meet them.
The committee report says 6.5 per cent of the Island’s school population require an EHCP.
Counting the cost
Capital funding will be needed to support the Medina House expansion, with work costs estimated at £1,500,000.
The extra revenue cost when the additional 36 places are filled is £1,064,844, equivalent to £29,579 per child.
Estimated capital investment for The Bay CE School provision amounts to £15,000.
One off revenue funding of £2,535 would be needed to purchase necessary specialist resources and equipment to support pupils and the annual cost per child is £18,606.
Where will the funding come from?
The council says capital funding for the projects will be drawn from the High Needs Capital Funding allocation from Whitehall’s Department for Education.
Revenue funding will come from the High Needs block of the Dedicated Schools Grant – also from the government.
Consultation response broadly positive
A consultation on the proposed expansion closed on 12th June 2026. The committee report says general feedback at drop-in sessions on the plans was ‘positive’.
Education councillors will meet at County Hall on Thursday evening next week (2nd July 2026).
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
