Wolverhampton Council has given the green light to a £500,000 investment to enhance special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision at Springdale Primary School. The project will see the existing resource base reduced from 34 to 18 places, while a new 20-place unit will be created, bringing the total specialist places to 38.
Details of the Refurbishment
The new unit will be housed in a modest extension, and the existing unit will undergo a complete remodel and refurbishment. Upgrades include new sensory equipment for an immersive room, a sensory light room, soft play facilities, and a new sensory outdoor space. The work was approved by the council’s Labour cabinet on April 22.
School Leadership's Perspective
Graham Tate, chief executive of Lykos Multi Academy Trust which runs the school, explained in a letter: "As part of the SEND unit project, we have also requested additional funding to enhance school facilities. These improvements will benefit not only pupils within the unit but also many mainstream children. We currently have sensory spaces that are dated and some equipment no longer works. We aim to refurbish these spaces and develop more inclusive playgrounds in KS1 and nursery."
Tate added: "Inclusion is at the heart of our school values. It is vital that every member of our school community feels valued and has access to the best staffing and resources, enabling all children, with or without SEND, to achieve the best outcomes."
Rising Demand for SEND Places
The demand for specialist school places in Wolverhampton has surged, with the number of pupils holding education, health, and care plans (EHCPs) rising by over 50% in the last five years—from 2,185 in 2021 to 3,352 in 2026. The most common needs include autism spectrum disorder, speech, language and communication difficulties, and social, emotional, and mental health issues, all of which have seen year-on-year increases.
Specifically, speech, language and communication needs rose from 714 children in February 2025 to 809 in February 2026, a 13% increase. The council noted that demand is outpacing the creation of new places, forcing it to place children in independent provision both within Wolverhampton and outside the city, at an average cost of around £76,000 per child per year.
