Cost of private SEND places up by 429%, data shows

The cost to the taxpayer of sending children to private special educational needs schools in Kent has "soared" by more than 400% in recent years, a former head teacher has said.

Data obtained by Peter Read showed spending by Kent County Council (KCC) increased from £27.6m in 2019-20 to £143.7m in 2025-26, a rise of 429%.

Read, who obtained the figures using freedom of information requests, said 27% of pupils attending special schools in Kent were being educated privately.

A KCC spokesperson said the authority was committed to achieving the best outcomes for children with SEND while ensuring value for money for taxpayers.

Read said: "There appear to be two main reasons for the numbers soaring.

"One is that the number of children being assessed as needing special schools has soared but KCC does not have the capacity to provide those children with places.

"The other reason is that the success rate at tribunal appeals by parents seeking placements at special schools is high, at least around 90%."

KCC said pressures came from increasing costs, approval of independent schools without evidence of local demand, and tribunal decisions which do not have to take local resources into account, which it said were national issues.

"Until these issues are resolved nationally, we will continue to work constructively with the government, families and Kent's local parent carer forum," a spokesperson said.

They added: "We are looking forward to the Department for Education starting work on new special schools in Whitstable and Swanley, which will help to increase state-funded provision in Kent."

The Department for Education has two new SEND schools planned for Kent, in Whitstable and Swanley, but both have been delayed.

Last year, the opening date for the schools was pushed back to 2028 at the earliest.

A third school was earmarked for Northfleet, although a site has yet to be identified, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

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