Plans have been revealed to create 50 ‘urgently’ needed school places for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Cambridgeshire County Council is planning to expand the Highfield Littleport Academy, in Elmside, Littleport, to meet the demand for SEND school places in the area.

A two-storey extension to the school is proposed in order for it to be able to offer places to an additional 50 children.

At the moment the school caters to 144 pupils aged between two and 19 years old.

When the school opened in 2019 it had been built to have enough space for 110 pupils, however the county council said the pressure for SEND school places meant the number of students at the school had been increased to 144.

The county council said there is still “urgent demand” for SEND school places in the area.

The new extension being considered will include space for both Key Stage 4 and post-16 group spaces, as well as sensory rooms and ancillary support accommodation.

If the extension is given planning approval to be built, the school is also planning to hire 27 new members of staff.

The plans said: “Cambridgeshire County Council is pleased to announce the development of proposals for the expansion of Highfield Academy, Littleport, which consists of a new teaching wing extension.

“This teaching wing will provide an additional 50 places taking the total capacity to 194 places.

“This greatly increases the provision of Special Educational Needs and Disability pupil places in the county.”