Major push to widen inclusion in the classroom
Children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities in Tower Hamlets are set to benefit from a £4.8 million programme to make mainstream schooling more inclusive. The council’s package, backed by the High Needs Provision Capital Allocation (HNPCA), will fund physical improvements on school sites so that a broader range of needs can be met without long journeys to specialist settings.
The council says more than 30 schools have already submitted ideas for projects, underlining strong demand for better facilities. The plan is to create or upgrade sensory rooms, therapeutic spaces, adapted classrooms and other accessibility features, giving families more choice and helping pupils stay close to their communities.
“Every child deserves the opportunity to thrive in a supportive and inclusive school close to home. This £4.8 million investment will make a real difference to children and families across our borough by improving facilities, strengthening inclusion and helping more young people with SEND flourish in mainstream education.”
That was the message from Executive Mayor Lutfur Rahman, who framed the scheme as a practical step to improve day‑to‑day schooling for children with additional needs.
What the investment will deliver
Council officers describe the programme as the first of its kind locally, designed with direct input from headteachers. School leaders were asked to identify changes that would help them better support pupils in their current settings, rather than relying on external placements. A call for proposals has brought forward projects ranging from quiet, low-stimulation rooms to improved circulation and hygiene spaces.
Cllr Faysal Ahmed, the cabinet member for children, young people and life chances, said the council was responding to what schools have asked for:
“This programme is about delivering practical improvements that schools have told us they need – from sensory spaces to adapted classrooms. By investing in inclusive environments, we are helping schools to support a wider range of needs and ensuring more children can learn in settings that work for them.”
Alongside the core capital works, the council points to recent steps within the borough’s SEND system. A new autism resource provision opened in March at Hermitage Primary School, offering tailored support for primary-aged children with autism as part of mainstream provision. Additional funding is also being lined up to help older young people build independence and move into employment.
Funding at a glance
| Area | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Inclusion upgrades in schools | £4.8m | Sensory rooms, therapeutic spaces, adapted classrooms, accessibility improvements |
| Support for 16–25-year-olds with SEN | £900,000 | Transition to adulthood and independence, including life skills |
| Support for 18–30-year-olds with SEND | £500,000 | Programmes to build independence and routes into employment |
Why it matters for families
Parents in Tower Hamlets regularly describe long commutes to reach appropriate settings, pressure on places, and the strain this places on children’s routines. By improving spaces within local schools, the council aims to reduce long-distance travel, shorten waiting times for suitable placements and widen family choice. Keeping more pupils in local classrooms can also support friendships and community ties, while easing transport costs and time out of the school day.
The investment responds to persistent national pressures in the SEND system, where rising levels of need have met limited capacity in mainstream and specialist provision. By using capital funding to adapt buildings and create specialist spaces within local schools, Tower Hamlets is betting that more pupils can be supported in the settings they and their families know best.
What schools and parents can expect next
- Schools that have lodged proposals will work with the council to scope and approve projects.
- Works are expected to prioritise facilities that can be delivered promptly and benefit the widest range of learners.
- Families should expect clearer information from individual schools as projects are confirmed and timelines agreed.
While the council has not published a full schedule of works, it says the emphasis is on practical improvements that can be felt in classrooms as soon as possible. The longer-term ambition is a local network of mainstream schools with the facilities and confidence to meet a broader spectrum of needs, backed up by targeted resource bases like the one at Hermitage Primary.
For pupils, this should translate into calmer spaces for regulation and therapy, better accessibility around school sites, and classrooms that can be adapted to different learning needs. For staff, new facilities can help reduce reliance on off-site provision and provide a more consistent school day for children who find transitions difficult.
Context across the borough
Tower Hamlets has seen steady growth in Education, Health and Care Plans in recent years, mirroring the national picture. Although the council has not set out the full breakdown of how the £4.8m will be split across projects, officials say the priority is to achieve noticeable improvements in as many schools as possible, ensuring changes are properly embedded and usable by staff. The focus on capital works complements existing revenue-funded support delivered through schools, health partners and the voluntary sector.
The programme’s success will ultimately be judged on outcomes for children — whether more pupils are able to stay in mainstream schools, whether attendance and attainment improve, and whether families feel their local school can meet their child’s needs. In the meantime, the council is urging schools that have not yet applied to consider what changes would make the biggest difference on their site.
