Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) across Ealing are set to benefit from a significant investment that will expand specialist education provision while allowing more pupils to remain in their local schools.

 

Ealing Council has approved £2.25 million to create 66 new specialist SEND places at Acton Gardens Primary School and Brentside High School in Hanwell. The additional places are expected to begin opening from September, giving more local families access to specialist support closer to home.

 

The investment will fund new dedicated classrooms and specialist learning spaces, with around £1.25 million allocated to Acton Gardens Primary School for 36 places and £1 million invested at Brentside High School to provide 30 places.

 

The plans received overwhelming public support during consultation, with more than 90% of respondents backing the proposals and no formal objections submitted.

 

By expanding SEND provision within mainstream schools, more children will be able to access specialist support while remaining connected to their classmates and local communities. This approach also reduces the need for long journeys to schools outside the borough and gives families greater choice closer to home.

 

The investment forms part of Ealing's wider programme to increase specialist education provision across the borough. Alongside these projects, the council has also approved a further £1.5 million of government funding for future SEND developments, helping ensure more children receive the support they need in local schools.

 

For many families, the new provision represents more than additional classroom spaces—it means children can continue learning alongside friends in familiar surroundings while receiving the specialist support they need to thrive.