Decision Maker: Strategy and Resources Policy Committee

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: February 23, 2026

Purpose:

Content: 12.1 The Strategic Director of Children’s Services submitted a report providing details of The Department for Education offer of additional high needs capital funding for Sheffield City Council (up to £10.34m) to develop specialist provision through alternative routes, instead of proceeding with the planned joint special school with Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council and alternative provision school with Minerva Learning Trust.   The report stated that following consideration of the options and consultation with partners, it is recommended that the Council accepts the offer of £10.34m in high needs capital to invest in new specialist provision. This recommendation aligns with our focus on belonging and development of high needs provision in localities across Sheffield. Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council and Minerva Learning Trust agree with the recommendations outlined in this report, and Barnsley have taken the same recommendation through their governance processes. This will mean the planned joint Special Free School and Alternative Provision Free School do not proceed.   The additional capital funding will be added into Sheffield’s high needs capital allocation and targeted at the following areas, subject to business case approval:   ·       New high needs hubs in areas of the city with highest demand. ·       New alternative provision bases focused on prevention and reintegration. ·       Existing special schools to increase capacity where possible and deliverable.   It was confirmed that the planned 80-place social, emotional, and mental health special school with Wellspring Academy Trust, is unaffected and the Department for Education continue to progress this. ?     12.2 RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Strategy and Resources Policy Committee:-       (a) approves the decision to accept £10.34m of additional high needs capital and not proceed with the previously planned special and alternative provision free schools;   (b) separate to this decision, notes the continued development of the new 80-place social, emotional, and mental health special school with Wellspring Academy Trust for Sheffield; and   (c) notes the risks highlighted with this decision and agree officers will take steps to mitigate, with progress to be reported to Education, Children and Families Policy Committee.     12.3 Reasons for Decision     12.3.1 The decision will enable provision to be developed which closely aligns with our focus on belonging, localities and meeting need earlier.     12.3.2 The decision will enable provision to be developed quicker, bringing positive impact to Sheffield families sooner.     12.3.3 The decision aligns with national policy direction and secures additional capital funding to develop high needs provision to help deliver this.     12.4 Alternatives Considered and Rejected     12.4.1 Alternative Option 1: Proceed with both special and alternative provision free schools   Proceeding with both schools was considered as an option, however this has not been recommended as:   They no longer align with the national policy direction.   Local capital investment will enable more sustainable provision to be developed in swifter timeframes.   In the case of the joint school with Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, both local authorities have significant pressures which additional capital will help address now.   An 80-place new social, emotional, and mental health special school will still be developed, offsetting some of the impact of the 200-place joint special school not proceeding.     12.4.2 Alternative Option 2: Proceed with special free school only   Proceeding with the specials school only was considered, however this has not been recommended as:   ·       Delivery of localised high needs SEND bases more closely aligns with our strategy and Belonging Framework.   ·       The new 80-place social, emotional, and mental health special school, and potential expansion of existing specialist settings, will ensure a continued increase in specialist provision.   Consultation with Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council found they were in favour of a recommendation to invest capital locally, for similar reasons to those outlined in this report for Sheffield.     12.4.3 Alternative Option 3: Proceed with alternative provision free school only   Proceeding with the alternative provision free school only was considered, however this has not been recommended as:   ·       Investing capital locally in new alternative provision bases, focused on prevention and reintegration, will provide swifter impact and provided much needed diversification of provision available. ·       Delivery of localised high needs AP bases more closely aligns with our strategy and Belonging Framework. ·       Minerva Academy Trust have indicated that their preference would be to support delivery of new alternative provision bases in local settings and not proceed with the proposed free school.