More money: £66m will be put into special schools

Some £66m has been earmarked for improving the condition of special school buildings, the government has announced.

The funding is part of the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme which commits the government to providing all pupils and teachers with 21st century facilities.

Children and families minister Lord Filkin made the announcement on Monday, saying: "We are at the start of a longer term process of renewal for the special schools sector."

The government has also published new draft guidance setting out improved building standards.

These standards aim to ensure better quality facilities for special needs pupils who attend both special and mainstream schools.

Facilities which need to be provided include better accommodation, improved storage, medical and therapy rooms and improved toilet and hygiene facilities.

The new guidance will result in an additional £66m being made available for special schools, and an estimated total spend for the sector of £284m.

Lord Filkin said: "Over time we want to see all our special schools in high quality buildings and with facilities to enable them to provide the best possible education, support and care for their pupils and families.

"Work is already underway to improve special school buildings in those authorities in the first wave of Building Schools for the Future."