NORTH YORKSHIRE COUNCIL

20 MAY 2026

STATEMENT OF EXECUTIVE MEMBER FOR EDUCATION AND SKILLS

SEND Sufficiency and Specialist Provision

We continue to make strong progress in expanding specialist provision across North Yorkshire. Alongside the ongoing delivery of new special schools in Harrogate and Selby, we have received confirmation from the Department for Education that it will proceed with the construction of a new special school at Grammar School Lane, Northallerton. This school will provide 120 places for children with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs and represents a significant investment in local provision.

In addition, the Council has received a further £7.8 million High Needs Capital Allocation. This funding will enable us to continue expanding specialist places within mainstream schools and settings through the enhanced rollout of Targeted Mainstream Provisions, supporting greater inclusion for children closer to their home.

Elective Home Education, Alternative Provision and Inclusion

We remain firmly focused on reducing the number of families choosing Elective Home Education by strengthening our engagement with school leaders and ensuring that families receive clear, accurate and timely information about the full range of options available to them. Over recent months, sessions have been delivered with school leaders to support earlier identification of concerns and to promote pre‑decision meetings. These meetings bring families and schools together in a solution‑focused way, helping to explore support options and maintain children’s positive engagement with mainstream education wherever possible.

Early Years Conference – March 2026

An Early Years Conference, held in March, was attended by 98 early years providers from across the county. This included a number of keynote speeches and four well‑received workshops focusing on Early Maths; Early Language and Communication; Embedding a Culture of Safeguarding; and High‑Quality Provision for Children Under Two Years.

The event concluded with the presentation of individual awards to early years providers who had achieved the Dingley’s Promise Mark of Achievement. Feedback has been extremely positive, and planning is already underway for a further Early Years Conference.

DfE School‑Based Nursery Programme – Phase III

The Department for Education has launched Phase III of the School‑Based Nursery Capital Grant Programme, aimed at increasing the availability of high‑quality early years places, particularly in areas of disadvantage.

Wraparound and School‑Age Childcare

The DfE wraparound childcare expansion programme, which focused on increasing before‑ and after‑school provision during term time, concluded on 31 March 2026. The School‑Age Childcare Programme brings together wraparound childcare, the national rollout of free breakfast clubs, the Holiday Activities and Food programme, and paid‑for holiday provision.

School Admissions

All applications received for new school places to start in September 2026 have now been processed, and offers were issued on the respective national offer days which were 2 March (secondary) and 16 April (primary).

Just under 90% secured their first preference with almost 97 per cent of all families in the county who requested a school place for September 2026 receiving an offer from North Yorkshire Council for one of their top three preferences of secondary school. 96% of applicants for a place at primary school received an offer in respect of their first preference school with 99% receiving an offer from one of their top three preferences for a school.

Education Standards and School Inspections

Since Ofsted resumed inspections on 10 November 2025, there have been 27 full inspections of North Yorkshire state‑funded schools. Inspection evidence shows a largely secure and positive profile, with no judgements of Urgent Improvement.

Strengths are most evident in curriculum and teaching, inclusion, and personal development and wellbeing. Leadership and governance are similarly secure. However, outcomes are less consistent in achievement and attendance and behaviour. Schools receiving a ‘needs attention’ judgement will receive a monitoring visit, in line with Ofsted requirements.

Music and Outdoor Learning

The Music Service continues to strengthen and broaden access to high‑quality musical opportunities through targeted and collaborative initiatives, including Playground Proms and Read to the Beat. Through partnership with North Yorkshire Libraries, the Music Service is supporting the Summer Reading Challenge, demonstrating a strong commitment to cross‑service collaboration and widening participation.

While East Barnby Outdoor Education Centre remains temporarily closed following the December condition survey, continuity of provision has been ensured through alternative delivery arrangements. These include temporary provision at Birch Hall Scout Camp, alongside capacity at Bewerley Park and day activity programmes. This approach has minimised disruption for schools while maintaining safety and quality.

Schools – May 2026

Over the coming weeks, the Council will deploy funding to schools and early years settings through the Inclusive Mainstream Fund and the Inclusive Early Years Fund, both integral to the SEND Reforms announced in March 2026.

The Council continues to work closely with schools that are experiencing, or projecting, financial deficits. This support is aimed at assisting school leaders to deliver a broad and balanced curriculum in a financially sustainable way. Work will continue on an individual school basis to ensure resources are deployed as effectively as possible for the benefit of children and young people.

COUNCILLOR ANNABEL WILKINSON