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Coventry City Council has been awarded a £102.8 million in government education funding - the highest basic need allocation of any local authority in England. The council says the

investment, announced as part of the government's basic need funding programme, will be used to "expand school capacity and build sustainable education infrastructure through to

2028". The could include the potential development of a new secondary school, planned to open in September 2027, alongside expansions at existing schools and almost 200 additional

specialist school places. A Coventry City Council spokesman said: "The funding recognises Coventry's continued growth and success in attracting new families to the city. Since

2021/22, Coventry has experienced significant increases in pupil numbers, with many families choosing to move to the city throughout the school year, and Coventry already has a good track

record of creating additional school places having added in over 1800 primary, secondary and special places since 2017. READ MORE: A46 'SERIOUS' COLLISION LIVE AS POLICE URGE

'AVOID THE AREA' "The funding will support the delivery of the Coventry One Strategic Plan 2024-2028, which sets out how the council will ensure sufficient school places

across primary, secondary and special educational needs provision." The council says the money will help fund the expansion of existing primary and secondary schools, enhanced provision

for pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND, new school buildings designed to net-zero carbon standards and energy efficiency improvements across the existing school

estate. Councillor Dr Kindy Sandhu, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, added: “This record investment is testament to Coventry's success as a thriving, growing city that families

want to call home. “The government has recognised our strategic approach to education planning and our commitment to ensuring every child has access to a high-quality school place. “This

funding will allow us to not only meet the immediate needs of our growing population but to build for the future with sustainable, net-zero school buildings that will serve our community for

generations to come. “We're particularly proud that this investment will also enhance support for children with special educational needs, ensuring truly inclusive education across

Coventry.” The new funding will help create approximately 190 additional specialist school places through building projects at Castle Wood, Baginton Fields, Woodfield and Sherbourne Fields

Special Schools. Cabinet will consider the strategic plan at its meeting on Tuesday 10 June, following scrutiny by the Co-ordination Committee on Thursday 5 June. For more information see

the council's website.