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…

Child with SEND in Central Bedfordshire ‘worth three times less’ than one in London

A meeting has heard that a child with special needs in Central Bedfordshire is seemingly worth three-and-a-half times less than one living in the London Borough of Camden...

64 School absence fines given to SEND families across Central Bedfordshire in the past year

Fines for unauthorised school absences issued to parents of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Central Bedfordshire "harm children and vulnerable families"...

Mayor describes Rivertree Free School as “a vision for inclusion and excellence”

Bedford's newest school has been described as "a vision for inclusion and excellence" by Mayor Tom Wootton, who said he was "filled with pride" to visit the Kempston site. The Mayor of Bedford Borough and Cllr Jane...

“Monumental moment” as new Kempston SEND school welcomes its first pupils

The first 60 pupils crossed the threshold at a new SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) school in Kempston today (10 February), as Rivertree Free School opened its doors. The new school, built on the site of the former Robert Bruce...

New Bedford Borough SEND school will open mid-November after delay

Rivertree Free SEND school in Kempston, Bedford borough’s new special educational needs school, will be complete by mid-November according to the council's top officer for...

Local council fined £5,000 after complaints over failure to provide suitable SEND education

Failure to provide suitable education for a child with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) has resulted in Central Bedfordshire Council paying out nearly £5,000 to the boy’s mother...

Council pledges that needs of SEND children will be met despite funding pressures

Bedford Borough Council may need to “make some difficult decisions” but the needs of children and young people with special education will be met, a meeting heard. The Bedford Schools’ Forum heard...

Get ready for action at this year’s biggest and best-ever Summer of SEND in Bedford

With a theme of 'Be Active', the annual Summer of SEND, Bedford Borough’s programme of exciting events and activities for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), is back...

Teaching assistants rewarded as Kempston special needs school scoops award

Staff and students at a special needs school in Kempston are celebrating after being recognised for the high standards and commitment of their Learning Support...

Breaking news: Funding secured for 200-place Kempston SEND school

A new SEND school on the site of the former Rober Bruce school in Kempston will be built after funding was approved by the Department of Education. The school, and the services...

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