EDUCATION · 9 OCTOBER 2026
Somerset Council’s Executive approved the next phase of investment in local provision for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) on 7 October. The plan envisages around £8.9 million in Government capital funding for new or improved specialist spaces.
Proposals include 104 new places in specialist inclusion bases across 11 mainstream schools and up to 24 additional places at The Mendip School. Among the mainstream schools listed for potential inclusion bases are Fairlands Middle School in Cheddar and Woolavington Village Primary School.
These are county-wide proposals, not an announcement of a new SEND unit at East Brent Academy. Individual projects remain subject to feasibility work, consultation where required and final investment decisions.
Source: Somerset Council: specialist education investment decision. Published information checked on 10 October 2026.