Westmorland and Furness Cabinet has approved a strategy that sets out the local authority’s commitment to ensuring high-quality, inclusive education for all children and young people across the Westmorland and Furness area.
Known as an education sufficiency strategy, this is an essential building block of delivering the councils ‘Ambition for every child’ and is designed to ensure there is sufficient school places to meet demand over the coming years.
This will ensure the council meets its statutory duties whilst making the most of its resources and this strategy encompasses all phases of education incorporating early years, mainstream, SEND and post 16 provision.
The strategy clearly sets out the council’s vision for sufficient, high quality, inclusive, local provision across all phases of education including the following:
- Early Years - a focus on high quality, affordable childcare to ensure our children and young people getting the best start in life.
- Primary and secondary provision – with a focus the need to be sufficient and sustainable
- Children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities – to ensure that, where possible, their needs can be met locally
- Post 16 sector - see a vibrant post 16 sector with progression opportunities leading to employment pathways for everyone
The strategy also acknowledges the demographic challenges faced by the region, particularly the declining birth rate affecting primary school populations. It sets out plans to safeguard the sustainability of schools, particularly those in rural areas, while addressing increasing demand for SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disability) provision, which has risen significantly in recent years.
The council has a statutory duty to ensure sufficient, sustainable education provision covering all phases of education, including early years, mainstream, special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and post-16 education, with the dual purpose of improving the accessibility and quality of education across the region.
Cllr Janet Battye, Lead Member for Children’s Services at the council, said:
“This is a clear, transparent approach to securing high-quality educational opportunities for all children in Westmorland and Furness, ensuring their needs are met as close to home as possible.
“The strategy places a strong emphasis on inclusive education, with a specific focus on increasing the availability of local SEND provision. This includes a comprehensive SEND Sufficiency Programme with multiple workstreams aimed at increasing capacity in special schools, establishing new SEND units, and expanding post-16 and post-19 pathways for young people with additional needs.”
Director of Children’s Services, Milorad Vasic, said:
“The strategy sets out our plans for continuous improvement through monitoring growth areas, maintaining education quality in areas of declining demand, and reviewing admissions catchments. Our approach will ensure we stay flexible in meeting evolving needs.
“We're particularly mindful of the rising demand for Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs). Addressing this challenge requires a united, focused effort so that every young person with additional needs can access the right local services. This is essential for achieving our goal of supporting every child in our community.”
This is the council’s first education sustainability strategy and the council will now undertake wider discussions with key stakeholders to ensure all education provision in Westmorland and Furness aligns with the needs of its local families and communities.