9 November 2026

SEND

Bedford special educational needs or disability (SEND) news, when and where you want it. The Bedford Independent is your best source of Bedford further education news on mobile, tablet and desktop…

Bedford secures £1.5m SEND grant, but system remains under pressure

Bedford Borough Council will see 90% of its SEND debt cleared by a £1.5m government grant, though officials warn the relief simply covers past borrowing rather than funding new services...

Government to wipe 90% of Central Bedfordshire’s £40m SEND deficit

Central Bedfordshire Council is set to have 90% of its £40m high needs deficit written off after the government approved its SEND reform plan, freeing up millions for frontline services...

Central Bedfordshire Council approves £2.2m plan for school SEND reform

A government funding boost for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reform in schools and better access to professional expertise could improve pupil experience and ease...

Increased demand will see Bedford’s SEND budget stay in deficit despite more government funding

Bedford Borough Council’s budget for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is forecast to remain in deficit next year, despite a headline increase in...

Senior councillor and officer say £26million loan was key to Rivertree Free School’s rapid delivery

A “bold decision” to borrow £26 million up front and build on work begun under the previous administration meant Rivertree Special School opened years earlier and avoided spiralling costs, according...

Central Bedfordshire Council deny wrongdoing over “fabricated illness” claims

Central Bedfordshire Council has "categorically refuted" concerns made by an action group that it had "indirectly accused" parents of children with SEND of "fabricated or induced illness"...

Central Beds mother offered £200 after EHCP complaint

A local authority offered a Central Bedfordshire parent of a child with special educational needs and disabilities £200 over a lack of academic support, according to a local government watchdog...

Central Bedfordshire Council urge SEND parents to use complaints procedure

Parents of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Central Bedfordshire are being urged by the council to use its complaints procedure if serious school-related issues arise...

VAT on private schools sparks debate over SEND children’s education options

On 1 January 2025, the Labour government implemented a 20% VAT on private schools as pledged in their manifesto. However, parents of SEND children say this has negatively affected SEND students...

Council defends SEND non-attendance policy as resident calls for leniency

Bedford Borough Council is defending its policy of prosecuting families of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) for school non-attendance, despite calls...

SEND

Get the latest Bedford news first