Children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are set to benefit from a £4.8million investment to improve inclusion in schools across Tower Hamlets.
The programme, which is the first of its kind locally and delivered by Tower Hamlets Council, will support a wide range of improvements to school environments, helping more pupils with additional needs to learn, thrive and succeed in mainstream schools.
The investment will fund new and enhanced inclusion spaces in schools, including sensory rooms, therapeutic facilities, adapted classrooms and accessibility upgrades. These improvements will support schools to meet a broader range of needs and create more supportive, inclusive environments for pupils.
More than 30 schools have already come forward with proposals for projects, reflecting the strong demand for facilities that enable children with SEND to be supported closer to home.
The programme will help improve outcomes for children and young people, reduce the need for long-distance travel, and give families greater choice about where their children are educated.
Lutfur Rahman, Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets, said:
“Every child deserves the opportunity to thrive in a supportive and inclusive school close to home.
“This £4.8million investment will make a real difference to children and families across our borough by improving facilities, strengthening inclusion and helping more young people with SEND flourish in mainstream education.”
Cllr Faysal Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Life Chances, said:
“This programme is about delivering practical improvements that schools have told us they need – from sensory spaces to adapted classrooms.
“By investing in inclusive environments, we are helping schools to support a wider range of needs and ensuring more children can learn in settings that work for them.”
The programme forms part of the council’s wider commitment to strengthening local SEND provision and improving outcomes for children and young people.
In March, a new, state-of-the-art autism resource provision opened at Hermitage Primary School, designed to provide tailored support for primary school-aged children with autism.
The council has also invested 900K to support transitions for 16-25-year-olds with SEN and a further £500K for 18-30-year-olds with SEND. This funding will help young people build independence through life skills programmes, and initiatives that support their transition into employment.
Delivery of projects will take place in phases, with schools working closely with the council to bring forward improvements that meet the needs of their communities.
The £4.8million investment comes from the High Needs Provision Capital Allocation (HNPCA).
Posted on Tuesday 14th July 2026