£1 million bill for sending students to independent special schools

More than £1 million is being spent on sending pupils from the Dudley borough to independent special schools. more

There were 52 pupils sent to the independent schools, including those sent outside of the borough during 2014/15 with the places funded by Dudley Council. Almost three quarters of those pupils – 36 – are sent to schools outside of the borough.

Opposition councillors in Dudley say there has been a 'lack of planning' by officials to ensure that there are an adequate number of places within council-backed schools.

The total cost, from the education budget, is £1,008,010.

In addition, £81,747 was spent on getting the children to the schools through school transport.

Education bosses at the council said that the needs of children came first and that youngsters were only sent outside the borough when necessary, but UKIP councillor Paul Brothwood said it was up to the council to be able to cater for special school pupils.

Councillor Brothwood said: "We have lost a number of special schools in Dudley and it is now costing even more to send children outside of the borough, which is costly for the taxpayer. There has to be long-term planning.

"It's difficult for parents with one child that needs to go to a special school and one that needs to go to a typical primary school it means they have to make two journeys, and one outside of the borough."

Tony Oakman, strategic director for the people directorate at Dudley Council, said: "Out of borough placements provide highly specialist education for children who often have very complex needs.

"The placements are only agreed where absolutely necessary, to meet very challenging needs, and after every other option in borough has been exhausted. We monitor and review placements very closely and bring pupils back into the borough if appropriate. However, the needs of children will, and must, always be the top priority in deciding what educational provision is appropriate."

Councillor Brothwood said he was concerned about school places as a whole across the borough. The Coseley School is facing closure but with hundreds of homes set to be built over the next decade the population is likely to increase considerably.

He said: "We are seeing schools close and lots of houses being built. Coseley School is the classic example; they are closing the school but then building a big new estate in a few years."