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Birmingham Education Updates: SEND Redevelopment Approved Amid Strikes and New Programs This Week
Council advances plans for new special schools while academy-related disputes see mixed outcomes and free workshops become available.
How we reported this
Birmingham City Council has approved major redevelopment for Baskerville School to address a desperate need for SEND places, with two new special free schools projected to open in September 2027 adding 520 places. A government commissioner has also been appointed to oversee the council's SEND services following OFSTED findings of significant weaknesses in special educational needs provision.
SEND Provision Advances
The redevelopment approval targets urgent capacity gaps in special educational needs and disabilities support across the city. The two additional free schools form part of the response, with the September 2027 opening date set to deliver the new places. The government commissioner appointment aims to raise standards in line with the OFSTED assessment of weaknesses in current arrangements.
Academy Conversions and Industrial Action
Teachers at Swanshurst School have initiated strikes over concerns regarding employment terms and conditions as the school prepares to convert into an academy under the new West Midlands Academy Trust. Separately, planned industrial action at the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership was called off after an agreement was reached to pause redundancy consultations following a month of strikes by over 800 staff members.
Free Educational Programs Launch
Climate Ed is offering free, fully funded climate education workshops for Years 5 and 6 at Birmingham primary schools for the 2026-27 academic year. Chapter One is seeking more schools for free one-to-one reading support starting September 2026. These initiatives provide direct classroom resources without cost to participating schools.
Schools interested in the workshops or reading support can contact the respective organisations through standard channels listed on council noticeboards. The combination of infrastructure approvals, resolved disputes and new program access shapes immediate priorities for Birmingham education providers in the coming months.