AQW 36386/22-27

Mr Nick Mathison
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 27/11/2025
Answered On Date: 08/12/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to detail the number of mainstream settings (i) identified; and (ii) confirmed, to take on an additional Specialist Provision in Mainstream Schools, for September 2026.

Answer:

The Education Authority (EA) has advised that:

As of the 3 December 2025, 281 schools are on the 2026 Engagement Plan (including 64 that attended engagement events). Development Officers are actively engaging with these schools to discuss the need for provision for 2026 and to secure approval/buy-in from schools to proceed. A summary of the current position in relation to discussions is provided below.

61 schools - have given permission for site visits to take place to explore feasible options to meet the accommodation needs associated with setting up specialist provision classes

50 schools - are engaging positively with officers but have yet to give permission for a site visit to take place

84 schools - have indicated that they do not wish to proceed to establish Specialist Provision classes for September 2026

86 schools - Initial contact has been made or attempted but no detailed discussions have taken place.

As a result of positive site visits, projects have been initiated at 44 schools aimed at creating an additional 47 specialist provision classes. It is anticipated this will create approximately 406 places. This includes a number of schools where interim solutions have been identified to create capacity for 2026 placements, but which may still require school approval and acceptance of an interim solution.

Additionally, EA have now offered the 236 schools that who did not/could not attend the engagement events in November, 4 additional dates in December to engage directly on this important issue for our children and young people.

We remain committed to ensuring all pupils with SEN can access education in line with their individual needs, in their local communities, with their peers and siblings.