St George's Primary given go-ahead for new SEND inclusion centre

A new special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) inclusion centre has been given the green light at a Portsmouth primary school.

Council officers confirmed the plans for St George’s Beneficial Church of England Primary School, in Hanover Street, Charles Dickens ward, mark “the final stages of the process to open the inclusion centre”.

A council officer said the city had “seen a significant increase in the number of children with SEN in recent years”, with Portsmouth City Council working to respond by establishing inclusion centres within mainstream schools.

“Portsmouth has been working to address that by establishing inclusion centres in mainstream schools to maximise those opportunities for inclusion,” the officer said, adding that the approach was supported by the government’s proposed SEND reforms.

The plans went through two stages of consultation, informal and formal, with officers telling members there had been “strong support from staff and families” throughout. No objections were raised during the formal consultation.

The decision was signed off by Cllr Nick Dorrington, cabinet member for children, families and education, who said he was “absolutely delighted” the council had “continued to increase capacity in the SEND provision”.

The proposal for St George’s Beneficial Church of England Primary School would increase the number of SEND places to 32.

The plans note that the Top Tots day nursery building “is suitable for conversion to an Inclusion Centre and would require only limited adaptation”.

With approval now granted, preparations at the school will continue over the summer holidays, ahead of the centre welcoming its first pupils in September.

A phased opening is planned, with an ambition to welcome an initial 18 pupils in September 2026, rising to the full 32 by September 2028.

It comes as the Mary Rose Academy, run by the Solent Academies Trust, recently had a SEND facility approved.

Its plans will convert the current Omega Arts Centre into a 76-place SEND facility that will cater to young people up to the age of 19.