The four schemes include Journeys Academy, a new communication and autism primary school in Potters Bar, the rebuild of North Herts Education Centre in Letchworth, the expansion of The Collett School for children with learning difficulties in Hemel Hempstead, through a new satellite provision, and the relocation and expansion of Breakspeare School for children with severe learning disabilities to Croxley Green.

Cllr Mark Watkin, Executive Member for Education, SEND and Inclusion, said: "These schemes that will expand the provision of school places for children with SEND in Hertfordshire are desperately needed. We wholly endorse this expansion programme and, following the decision to grant planning approval, we are pleased to recommend to cabinet that it approves the investment needed to deliver more places for children in west Hertfordshire with severe learning difficulties through the Breakspeare school expansion. 

"We are committed to delivering large special school expansion projects, such as Breakspeare, while also exploring innovative solutions to meet increasing needs sooner, including satellite provision, specialist resource provisions (SRPs) and units attached to mainstream schools. We want all children in Hertfordshire to get the support they need, when they need it, to access their education in a school close to their home and we are committed to investing in education in Hertfordshire to make this a reality."

The County Council have created over 550 special school places and placed over 300 children in the independent sector and by January 2026, will have created almost 200 places (since 2023) in specialist resourced provisions attached to mainstream schools.

 For more information about HCC's "commitment" to invest in special education provision, visit their Increasing Specialist Provision webpage