§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment which local education authorities are currently reviewing their provision of special schools. [155677]
§ Jacqui SmithA number of LEAs are currently reviewing their special needs provision. The prime aim of these reorganisations is to enhance and improve existing provision for all pupils with special educational needs. Many of these reviews will cover provision for children in mainstream schools, special units attached to mainstream schools and special schools. The overall population of pupils in special schools fell from 1.3 per cent. in 1991 to 1.2 per cent. in 1995 but has remained constant in the past six years with roughly 97,000 pupils. We do not envisage that this will change dramatically. The Department is aware that the following LEAs are currently reviewing their special school provision
Essex, Hertfordshire, Sandwell, Warwickshire, Peterborough, Cornwall, Gloucestershire, Devon, Blackburn, Cheshire, Knowsley, Lancashire, Manchester, Oldham, Sefton, Trafford, Lambeth, Tower Hamlets, Haringey, Harrow, Wokingham, Buckinghamshire, Reading, Greenwich, Oxfordshire, Richmond, Slough, Lewisham, Surrey, Middlesbrough, Stockton-on-Tees, North Yorkshire, City of York, Sheffield, Doncaster, Darlington, Gateshead, Hartlepool, Kirklees and the East Riding of Yorkshire.