Category: News

A £1.5million investment will create an additional 133 school places in Tameside for pupils aged 5-16 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Following a public consultation, Tameside Council’s Executive Cabinet has approved the plan, to take effect from September 2025.

The plan involves the establishment of additional SEND school places in one maintained school in Tameside, as well as support for nine specialist learning bases in academy schools.

Changes will take place over two phases, with the first beginning in September to establish greater in-borough SEND provision for pupils aged 5-16. A further phase is proposed for September 2026 which will bring additional places to those approved in phase 1.

The maintained school is St Mary’s RC Primary School, Denton. Further approval is required from the Department for Education (DfE) for these schools outlined below:

• 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

The proposal to increase the number of SEND units in mainstream schools is in line with the Council’s ambition that all children within the borough should have a school place close to home which meets their individual learning needs, and for as many young people as possible with an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) to have a suitable place within a mainstream setting.

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.”