It’s “critical” that new special educational needs schools are opened in Bracknell, MP James Sunderland has told the government.

The Bracknell MP pressed children’s minister David Johnston on Tuesday, October 24, for more money to build a second new special educational needs school. He also asked for money awarded for a new school that has already been approved to be handed over sooner.

But Mr Johnston avoided making any firm promises – although he did appear to offer some encouraging comments.

In an update to Facebook, Mr Sunderland said: “Having lobbied hard for Bracknell's new Special Educational Needs (SEN) school, I was delighted when funding was announced by the Government in early 2023.

“Given however that SEN places remain at a premium in Bracknell and that this is time critical, I pressed him for early release of the funding.”

Mr Johnston replied that government officials are “likely to be supportive” of plans to release funding sooner, according to the update. He is also said to have encouraged Bracknell Forest Council to be “ambitious” in applying for funding for a second new school.

Bracknell Forest Council announced plans in September to build a school in Crowthorne for children with autism. It is to be built as part of the major Bucklers Park housing development, using money the council got from the government after bidding for funding last year.

However, while the council applied for money for two schools, it was only awarded cash for one.

READ MORE: Crowthorne special needs school ‘step in the right direction’

Bracknell Forest Council leader Mary Temperton said new schools are desperately needed. This is because the number of children with SEN is increasing, and it is more expensive for the council to send them to schools outside the borough.

She said: “Over years and years and years Bracknell Forest hasn’t got enough facilities locally and the number of special needs children has gone up. They have increased money from the government but it’s never been enough.

“If you haven’t got the number of schools in your area and you haven’t got the space in the mainstream schools, and haven’t got special provision for them, then you send them outside the borough. And you have to pay extra and you’ve also got transport costs – and that’s the killer.”

Mr Sunderland said he would work with the council to try and get funding for a second new school.

Speaking to Bracknell News earlier this month he said: “The delivery of SEN locally is a matter for Bracknell Forest Council.

“I am very conscious of the fact that Bracknell Forest Council probably doesn’t have enough money to do it. So we need more money and that’s what I’m trying to do.”