AQW 35548/22-27


Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast


Tabled Date: 14/11/2025
Answered On Date: 04/12/2025
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the Minister of Education (i) for his assessment of the projected demand for post-primary Specialist Learning Support placements, in the South Belfast area, between 2026 and 2028, including the number of pupils with a Statement of Special Educational Needs identifying Specialist Learning Support as the appropriate placement; and (ii) to detail the current shortfall of places within the Controlled sector.


Answer:
The Education Authority (EA) has advised that:
(i)The EA has undertaken comprehensive planning for specialist provision, compiling demand projections based on historical data, expert insights, and anticipated trends. These projections are reviewed regularly as key milestones are reached, and actual pupil mapping is completed.
Planning operates at Council Area level rather than specific localities. Current projections indicate that demand for Year 8 specialist provision places across all types within the Belfast City Council Area for September 2026 is approximately 130 pupils.
For the period extending to 2028, the EA anticipates demand will remain consistent with 2026 levels. This expectation is based on the number of pupils currently attending specialist provision classes in primary schools across the Belfast City Council area. Detailed projections are carried out annually, informed by the individual needs of children and young people identified through annual review processes.
The EA continues to actively engage with all schools regarding this priority issue, ensuring provision planning responds appropriately to identified need.
(ii)The Education Authority does not segregate specialist provision projections by sector, as capacity planning is needs-based rather than sector-specific. However, current data indicates that fewer than 10 specialist provision places remain available within the controlled post-primary sector for the Belfast area for September 2026, representing significant capacity pressure within this sector.
EA are committed to working with all schools to ensure children and young people are supported to attend a school within their local community with their siblings and peers and continue to work across all sectors to accomplish this vision.