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Dept for Education and Employment

Answer

Mr. Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment which local education authorities are currently reviewing their provision of special schools. [155677] Jacqui Smith: A number of LEAs are currently reviewing their special needs provision. The prime aim of these reorganisations is to enhance and improve existing provision for all pupils with special educational needs. Many of these reviews will cover provision for children in mainstream schools, special units attached to mainstream schools and special schools. The overall population of pupils in special schools fell from 1.3 per cent. in 1991 to 1.2 per cent. in 1995 but has remained constant in the past six years with roughly 97,000 pupils. We do not envisage that this will change dramatically. The Department is aware that the following LEAs are currently reviewing their special school provision: Essex, Hertfordshire, Sandwell, Warwickshire, Peterborough, Cornwall, Gloucestershire, Devon, Blackburn, Cheshire, Knowsley, Lancashire, Manchester, Oldham, Sefton, Trafford, Lambeth, Tower Hamlets, Haringey, Harrow, Wokingham, Buckinghamshire, Reading, Greenwich, Oxfordshire, Richmond, Slough, Lewisham, Surrey, Middlesbrough, Stockton-on-Tees, North Yorkshire, City of York, Sheffield, Doncaster, Darlington, Gateshead, Hartlepool, Kirklees and the East Riding of Yorkshire.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

365 c760W; 155677

Session

2000-01

Subjects

Local education authorities Schools Special educational needs Reviews

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk