MP Charlie Dewhirst has written to the Minister for Early Education to seek urgent clarification on the status of an application for a new specialist free school in Bridlington.
In May 2024, it was announced that East Riding Council's bid for a new 120-place special free school in Bridlington had been successful. The school is intended to support children aged 5 to 19 with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.
However, the future of the school has been thrown into doubt following a recent letter from the Minister stating the application for a free school on Shaftesbury Road in Bridlington was unsuccessful – contradicting previous communication confirming that the application had been approved.
Specialist free schools provide crucial support in environments tailored to complex needs, such as autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language difficulties, often with smaller class sizes and specialist staff. A recent Department for Education survey of parents and carers of pupils with SEND found 90% of those whose child attended a special school felt their child was well-supported overall.
Charlie Dewhirst MP said:
"The Bridlington special free school will be a lifeline for pupils with complex special educational needs, providing specialist facilities and highly trained staff.
“The East Riding remains the worst funded local authority in England for SEND. If this school does not go ahead, it will be an appalling betrayal of families counting on improved local provision.
“Beverley MP Graham Stuart and I have written to the Minister to urgently clarify whether this school will proceed as previously announced.”
The MP says there is a long-standing disparity in SEND funding allocated to children in East Riding compared with other areas across the country. The East Riding receives £9 million less than the national average and £4 million less annually than the next lowest-funded authority. Some councils receive more than £109 million a year in comparison. If East Riding were funded even at a mid-range level, it would receive an additional £18 million each year – funding that could transform outcomes for local children.
Charlie Dewhirst says he continues to call for greater collaboration with health partners and further legislative reform to strengthen joint working and accountability across the SEND system.
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