SEND hub made permanent amid new school delays

Councillors have voted unanimously to keep a hub for children with special educational needs.

The ARC at West Boldon Primary School in South Tyneside was opened in 2023 as a temporary facility ahead of the opening of a new special school in the area.

Amid delays to the school's opening and to help meet growing demand for specialist provision, proposals to make the hub permanent were approved on Wednesday.

As reported earlier this month, plans to keep the ARC, which will offer spaces to 13 children, arose following a two-year delay to the opening of the new school.

Initially expected to welcome pupils in 2025, the school will now not open until September 2027.

At the meeting of South Tyneside Council's cabinet, Councillor Liz McHugh said: "The number of children who have social, emotional and mental health wellbeing needs is increasing at primary as well as secondary level.

"Local authorities have a duty to secure sufficient appropriate education places, including provision for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities".

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