“We’ve got a rise in demand for special needs places that’s national and that’s also reflected locally,” Browne said. “It’s very clear the Harborough district has a real shortfall so it’s important we start looking at increasing capacity in that particular area.” He said the school “would absolutely pay for itself very quickly” despite the £30m price tag for taxpayers.This is because independent specialist placements for SEND children cost Leicestershire County Council nearly £70,000 a year, whereas specialist schools maintained and run by the county council cost between £23,000 and £30,000, he said. The school would include dining halls, music studios, drama spaces, and “ample” playing fields, including multi-use games areas and parking, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said. Browne said the council hopes to open the school by September 2028, which he admits is an “ambitious target”.
New Leicestershire £30m SEND school could open in 2028
