A MEETING is set to be held next week about the provisions for special needs places in the south of Wiltshire.

Held at the Salisbury Diocesan Education Centre on May 1 from 11am to 12:30pm, Wiltshire Council says it will be an opportunity to hear about current provision and the plans it is developing to meet the need for the future.

Springfields South opened in February 2019 for Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) pupils in the south.

It provides education for up to 18 primary and lower secondary age pupils at Sarum Academy, Salisbury. The Spingfield’s and Sarum Academy are working closely with Exeter House School in Salisbury, who also support children and young people with ASD and complex needs.

In February 2019 it was announced Wiltshire Council had additionally secured £12m funding from the Department for Education (DFE) to create a new 150-pupil free school for pupils aged 4 to 19 years by 2026.

The school will be for children and young people with ASD and SEMH in the south of the county and will have strong links with mainstream schools, nurseries and children’s centres. The information morning will be chance to talk about how these schools can meet need and be developed.

Laura Mayes, cabinet member for children’s services said: “The map of special needs provision in the south is changing.

“We have carefully researched present and future needs for SEND provision and we now want to share those plans for south Wiltshire.”

If you would like to attend the meeting please email specialschools@wiltshire.gov.uk to book a place.