Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to her written ministerial statement of 15 December 2025 on Investment in high needs places, how many of the 50,000 new specialist SEND places will be allocated to Windsor and Maidenhead local authority; and what assessment she has made of the adequacy of SEND provision in that area.

The statutory duty to provide sufficient school places, including for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), sits with local authorities. To support local authorities with this duty, in December, the department announced at least £3 billion for high needs capital between 2026/27 and 2029/30 to support children and young people with SEND or who require alternative provision. We will confirm local authority allocations for 2026/27 in the spring.

This funding builds on the £740 million invested in 2025/26, which is on track to create around 10,000 new specialist places. Of this funding, Windsor and Maidenhead has been allocated just under £1.29 million.

This funding is intended to create specialist facilities within mainstream schools that can deliver more intensive support adapted to suit the pupils’ needs. It can also be used to adapt mainstream schools to be more accessible and create special school places for pupils with the most complex needs.