Cheshire East Council (CEC) will receive £593,690 over three years as part of its share of a government boost to special educational needs.

Education Minister Edward Timpson MP announced this week that £215 million of capital funding is being made available nationally to improve services for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

CEC plans to use the funds to implement plans to increase local suitable placements for children with ‘SEND’ whether that be in providing local specialist placements and to support children to remain in mainstream schools.

Councillor Bernice Walmsley, Middlewich First, said: “The extra funding for Cheshire East Schools to improve Special Educational Needs provision is extremely welcome.

“I hope some will be allocated to Middlewich High School, which, under Head Keith Simpson’s care, has built up an excellent reputation for providing this specialised education.

“Extra funding to be spent on Special Educational Needs in this area would make a really positive impact.”

CEC will receive £198,000 each year to improve SEND developments, and the council aims to work closely with the consulting parents and carers to provide the highest quality of provision going forward.