Nelson, Brierfield special education promise by county boss

The call came from County Cllr Mohammed Iqbal, who represents Brierfield and Nelson West, and County Cllr Azhar Ali, who represents Nelson East.

They told the authority's education boss County Cllr Jayne Rear that there is a shortfall of places for SEND children in Nelson and Brierfield at last week's Full County Council meeting.

Now she has promised them she will look carefully at the SEND provision in the two towns and wider Pendle borough.

Cllr Iqbal told the meeting: "I know of primary schools in my area where children with special educational needs are being taught by exceptional teachers in sub-standard conditions.

"It is a dereliction of duty by the Tories to neglect children in my area. They deserve better."

County Cllr Azhar Ali Cllr Ali said: "I wrote to the cabinet member weeks ago asking she come and meet school leaders in Nelson and listen first hand to the dire need for additional facilities.

"Once again at the full council meeting on October 17, I have asked for urgent consideration by the administration."

County Cllr Rear said after the meeting: "We deeply value every child's unique needs and are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment where all children, including those SEND, can thrive.

County Cllr Jayne Rear "Nationally, there is a huge increase in the number of children seeking SEND support and education, Health and Care Plans (ECHPs).

"However, in Lancashire, we are actively addressing the growing demand for specialised SEND provision through our SEND sufficiency strategy, which delivered more than 170 extra places in September through specialist units in mainstream schools and extensions to our maintained special schools.

"We will work with school leaders in Pendle and Nelson and across Lancashire whilst continuing to explore ways of creating more specialist provision across our region in order to address this national trend and ensure the best outcomes for children in Lancashire."