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County council plans 200 new SEND places as demand grows by 40% in five years

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Suffolk County Council's cabinet will review proposals for 200 new specialist education places for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Why it matters: Over the last five years, the number of Suffolk pupils accessing special schools and units attached to mainstream schools has increased by over 40%, creating a demand for specialist provision that the council has been unable to meet.

Young female teacher working with a Down syndrome schoolboy sitting at desk using a tablet computer and stylus in a primary school classroom
Suffolk County Council's cabinet will review proposals for 200 new specialist education places for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)Getty Images

The details: The £18.6 million plan includes:

  • 100 places potentially opening this year

  • Another 100 new places by September 2026

  • £3 million for small groups and units in mainstream schools from September 2025

  • £12 million for developing satellite units linked to existing special schools from September 2026

  • £3.6 million earmarked for further SEND provision

What they're saying: "We know the importance of making sure that children are in the right provision for their needs at the right time. We haven't always got this right, and keeping up with the ask for new places is challenging and costly, but we continue to revisit our plans and redirect resources when needed," said Andrew Reid, cabinet member for education and SEND at Suffolk County Council.

For context: In the past five years, 1,025 new specialist SEND places across Suffolk have been agreed.

What's next: These plans will be discussed at the cabinet meeting on Tuesday, 1 April, at 14:00. A Joint SEND Sufficiency Plan is also being developed to establish how future Department for Education SEND capital money should be spent.

The bottom line: The council is responding to significant growth in demand for specialist education by proposing targeted investment across the county, with headteachers reportedly supportive of opening specialist units linked to mainstream schools.

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Computer scientist son of micro-brewery owner first to complete Ipswich pub trail

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Ipswich.co.uk Logomark in a circle

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Adam Littler, a 23-year-old computer scientist whose parents were brewers, has become the first person to complete both Sip'Swich drinks trails, visiting all 15 venues in just two days.

Why it matters: The Sip'Swich trails, organised by Ipswich Central  in conjunction with Ipswich Borough Council, aim to showcase the town's brilliant selection of pubs and bars to a wider audience, helping people discover new venues they've never visited before.

The big picture: Littler, who moved to Ipswich six months ago, was awarded a limited edition Sip'Swich reusable cup and received a surprise £50 voucher from men's retailer James St. Peter's for being the first to complete both trails.

Mark Hubert of James St. Peters presenting Adam Littler with his voucher
Mark Hubert of James St. Peters presenting Adam Littler with his voucherIpswich Central

What they're saying: "Having moved to Ipswich six months ago and loving a drink with friends, when I saw the trails being promoted in the local paper newsfeed it was right up my street as something to do!" Littler said.

By the numbers: The ambitious pub-goer visited 13 venues on Saturday 8 March before returning to complete the final two a couple of days later. He collected his prize less than a week after the trails launched.

The details: As a computer scientist with brewing in his blood, Littler scored each location on a 1-10 scale rating for enjoyment of the drink, price and atmosphere.

"The Arbor House and Crafty Fox were two venues that I was really impressed with for their friendly and knowledgeable staff plus recommendations they made. The Arbor House was an unexpected gem that I'd go back to, and, the Crafty Fox had a really lovely vibe about it," he said.

To make the challenge more interesting, Littler had a different type of drink in every venue, including wine at Boom Battle Bar, a cocktail at Cosy Club and a spirit at The Black Horse Inn.

Adam Littler sitting in a cafe
Adam Littler was the first to complete the Sip'Swich trailAdam Littler

What's next: Littler plans to do the trail again with another group of friends so his girlfriend can also win a reusable cup. Meanwhile, the trails will run until the end of April or when all prizes have been claimed.

Lee Walker  from Ipswich Central said:

Ipswich is so lucky to have an incredible range of pubs and bars each with their own character and ambience. We devised Sip'Swich as a way of showcasing those places to a wider audience.

The bottom line: Further special prizes will be awarded over the coming weeks, including a voucher for a brewery tour donated by the Briarbank Brewery. Details and trail cards can be downloaded from www.allaboutIpswich.com/sipswich or collected from any of the 15 participating venues.

Oliver Rouane-Williams speaking with an elderly couple in the town centre

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